Positive Psychology Interventions Proposed for Colorado's Division of Youth Services
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University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstone Projects Capstones 8-26-2021 Strengths-Based Compassion as an Agent of Change for Incarcerated Youth: Positive Psychology Interventions Proposed for Colorado's Division of Youth Services Rachel Olsen [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone Part of the Juvenile Law Commons, and the Prison Education and Reentry Commons Olsen, Rachel, "Strengths-Based Compassion as an Agent of Change for Incarcerated Youth: Positive Psychology Interventions Proposed for Colorado's Division of Youth Services" (2021). Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstone Projects. 211. https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/211 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/211 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Strengths-Based Compassion as an Agent of Change for Incarcerated Youth: Positive Psychology Interventions Proposed for Colorado's Division of Youth Services Abstract The youth corrections system is in need of reform. Emerging work from the field of positive criminology is working to shift the focus from retribution and risk management to strengths building and positive youth development. Research suggests, targeted strategies from positive psychology can provide youth with opportunities to counteract the potentially deleterious effects of incarceration, especially as adolescent neurobehavioral development offers a ripe opportunity for positive interventions that enhance wellbeing. Strengths-based compassion, the proposed positive intervention described within, uses mindfulness, character strengths, and the cultivation of compassion to improve self-regulation and self-discipline, increase self-esteem, improve social skills, and reduce recidivism. The proposed eight-week program is designed through a trauma-responsive lens that has been adapted for youth in a correctional facility and creates the potential for revolutionary change in the hearts and minds of young offenders. This change positions youth on a productive path in which they desist from future criminal activity and increase pathways for flourishing in their lives after incarceration. Keywords youth corrections, incarcerated youth, positive psychology, mindfulness, character strengths, self- compassion, compassion, strengths-based compassion Disciplines Juvenile Law | Prison Education and Reentry This working paper is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/211 1 Strengths-Based Compassion as an Agent of Change for Incarcerated Youth Positive Psychology Interventions Proposed for Colorado's Division of Youth Services Rachel Olsen Master of Applied Positive Psychology Program, University of Pennsylvania MAPP 800: Capstone Project Advisor: Jan Stanley August 1, 2021 Strengths-Based Compassion 2 Abstract The youth corrections system is in need of reform. Emerging work from the field of positive criminology is working to shift the focus from retribution and risk management to strengths building and positive youth development. Research suggests, targeted strategies from positive psychology can provide youth with opportunities to counteract the potentially deleterious effects of incarceration, especially as adolescent neurobehavioral development offers a ripe opportunity for positive interventions that enhance wellbeing. Strengths-based compassion, the proposed positive intervention described within, uses mindfulness, character strengths, and the cultivation of compassion to improve self-regulation and self-discipline, increase self-esteem, improve social skills, and reduce recidivism. The proposed eight-week program is designed through a trauma-responsive lens that has been adapted for youth in a correctional facility and creates the potential for revolutionary change in the hearts and minds of young offenders. This change positions youth on a productive path in which they desist from future criminal activity and increase pathways for flourishing in their lives after incarceration. Keywords: youth corrections, incarcerated youth, positive psychology, mindfulness, character strengths, self-compassion, compassion, strengths-based compassion Strengths-Based Compassion 3 Acknowledgments Family and friends. To my amazing family, your love and support are everything. Truly everything. I would not be where I am today without each and every one of you. I am so lucky to be supported by such a remarkable immediate and extended family. You have made me who I am and have encouraged me to strive, grow, and never stop learning. Thank you for being tremendous inspirations. Brynn and Heidi, you are my everything, my moon and stars. You motivate me to bring more love, compassion, and positivity into the world every day. Thank you for supporting and understanding me when I did not have enough energy or mental capacity to be my best mom-self this past year. Thank you for encouraging me when I doubted myself. Thank you for putting up with lots of meals ordered in (or out) and for understanding my short fuse and distraction. You two are my rocks, my north stars, my inspiration to do better in this world. I could not possibly love you more. My dear friends, thank you for holding me up, loving me, encouraging me, and having steadfast faith (when I didn't) that I could do it. I genuinely feel like the luckiest person in the world to be surrounded by such phenomenal people. You give me faith that this world is, and will be, a beautiful place because of your hearts, love, and joy. Thank you for sharing them with me. My advisor. Jan Stanley, I believe that there may have been divine intervention leading you to be my journal reader this year. Your steady heart, incredible feedback, and amazing support got me through my MAPP year and capstone process. Thank you for listening, encouraging, and championing me from beginning to end. I could not have done this without you. Strengths-Based Compassion 4 Amazing cohorts. I feel like I hit the jackpot. How did I get so lucky in both the fall and spring to work alongside you, tremendous women? Valerie, Siena, Erin, Karen, and Heidi, I am beyond inspired by each and every one of you. You supported me, pushed me, carried me, relied on me, shared with me, laughed with me, cried with me… through it all. I know that this is just the beginning of our life story together. I can't wait to see where our adventures lead to next. I am so lucky to have you by my side. Capstone Cheerleaders. (To name only a few.) Leona Brandwene, thank you for being the consummate example of positive psychology incarnate, not only in person but in a database of knowledge that seems to be at your fingertips the minute we need it. Julia Pool, I am so grateful for your candid, on-point feedback, and constant inspiration. Virginia Millar, I am in awe of all that you have done with such incredible grace and understated amazingness. To all of the INCREDIBLE professors and assistant instructors, you blew me away. This was by far the most challenging, enriching, and intellectually stretching experience of my educational career. I am beyond grateful for all of the time, energy, and dedication you put forth to make the MAPP program top-notch. Kyle, Courtenay, and Colleen, friends who were also willing to be editors! Thank you for slogging through all of my pages, grammatical errors, and APA issues. Thank you for your insightful edits; you helped bring this capstone to life. Amanda, you helped set me on this beautiful trajectory. You have watched my life transform after I was lucky enough to be part of your first cohort of Compassion Cultivation Training. You have been a beacon of support, a dear friend, and a true example of compassion in Strengths-Based Compassion 5 action. You have never stopped encouraging me to pursue my dream of bringing compassion to youth. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Brent Nittmann. I love how the universe brings people into your life right at the perfect time. When you showed up for Imagine Zero Suicide's main coalition meeting via Zoom during the pandemic (and briefly mentioning that you used to work in youth corrections), I never dreamed that it would lead to a two+ hour conversation in which I discovered you previously were the director of Platte Valley Youth Services Center for over 17 years! Your insight, edits, perspective, and amazing encouragement have been such a gift. Thank you for being a great sounding board and wealth of information throughout this process. ASP/IZ Team and Work-Family. You all are rock stars. I am so lucky to work alongside you. Thank you for allowing me to focus on school and life while you carried the load and kept all of the work moving forward seamlessly. You are the dream team. I am so grateful for each and every one of you. MAPPily you are by far the best thing that happened to me in this rough year. Who knew such strong bonds could be formed through a computer? As I have said before, you have been my buoy through the most turbulent year of my life. I would not have made it through without each and every one of you. You have expanded my world, my vision, and my heart. You all have been the most positive intervention I could have ever asked for. Thank you for lighting up my heart and my world. You have helped me see myself in a new light. You have steadied me. You have given me strength. You have guided me as I navigated the questions, and you have helped me live into answers. Some of the answers are difficult and will lead to more rough waters ahead. But I now Strengths-Based Compassion 6 know that I can surf the rough waters, buoyed by your love, strength, intellect, drive, and heart. Thank you for loving me back to myself. Sweet16, there is truly no group of humans that could ever be sweeter. So, let's keep crushing it together, for all our days ahead.