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The effects of the Positive Environment Program (PEP) on the behaviors of adults with profound cognitive and physical disabilities
Author(s) -
Realon Rodney E.,
Bligen Richard A.,
La Force Anne,
Helsel William J.,
Goldman Vinston
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
behavioral interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.605
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1099-078X
pISSN - 1072-0847
DOI - 10.1002/bin.102
Subject(s) - alertness , psychology , affect (linguistics) , happiness , cognition , incentive , applied psychology , medical education , social psychology , medicine , psychiatry , microeconomics , communication , economics
This study evaluated the effects of the Positive Environment Program (PEP) on the behaviors of residents and staff in a state‐operated residential facility during a 2½ year period. The participants included 19 adult residents with profound cognitive and physical disabilities and 11 staff members who worked with them. Data were collected on alertness, leisure material availability, engagement, staff interactions, and resident affect during two samples of data collection six months prior to implementation of PEP. Training was then provided to staff on positive interaction skills. Following the training, researchers implemented a monitoring program and a staff incentive program. The results of this project showed improvements in staff interactions, resident interaction with leisure materials, improved levels of alertness, and increases in a ‘happiness index’. The benefits and limitations of this project as well as future research are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.