Positive Peer Culture and a Level System

Abstract

Positive peer culture is widely used in adolescent treatment facilities, but little research has been performed to test its effectiveness. In a residential treatment facility positive peer culture was put into operation after the completion of a level system. The two programs had approximately 40 subjects each and were used in the same physical facilities. Comparing behavioral incidents in the first six months of the two programs, positive peer culture had less runaways, physical aggression, drug abuse, destruction of property, and suicidal behavior while having more break-ins on campus, off limits, and improper affection displays. As a function of the individual student's time in the program, both programs showed most incidents in the student's first month, with positive peer culture having markedly less incidents. The results support the conclusion that positive peer culture results in less incidents and a smoother, less traumatic program.