Evaluating the relationship of Positive Deviance and positive childhood experiences in New Jersey
The aim of the project is to evaluate the effectiveness of using a Positive Deviance (PD) approach to increase access to positive childhood experiences (PCEs) among members of a New Jersey Boys & Girls club. PD is an approach used to address a problem based on the understanding that in every community there are individuals and/or groups who have found a way to overcome a particular problem using the same resources available to everyone in the community. This approach involves a discovery process to identify ‘positive deviants’, learn about what they are doing differently allowing them to be successful, and then sharing their approach with the rest of the community. First described in the 1960s, this approach has been used to address child malnutrition in numerous third world countries as well as to reduce Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in many hospital systems. Project partners include Garden State Equality, Partners in Complexity and the Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County, NJ.
Research Project Information
Project Name
Using a Positive Deviance Approach to Increase Access to Positive Childhood Experiences
HOPE Contributors
Dina Burstein, MD, MPH, principal investigator
Laura Gallant, MSW, research assistant
Project Dates
July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025
Collaborators
Garden State Equality, Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County
