The DNA of HOPE: The science of the positive framework

By Dr. Jeff Linkenbach, Director / Research Scientist at The Montana Institute & Co-Investigator at HOPE Center

HOPE – Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences emerged by applying the Science of the Positive framework to child maltreatment prevention. I have had the honor of co-developing HOPE through initial conceptualization and research which occurred through involvement the CDC’s three-year Knowledge-to-Action (K2A) think tank on The Essentials for Childhood framework in the Division of Violence Prevention at the CDC in Atlanta, GA. Essentials for Childhood focuses on developing safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for children as a way to prevent ACEs. HOPE emerged as we began think about the next possibilities for research and collaboration and developing positive community norms.

HOPE AND THE SCIENCE OF THE POSITIVE

PACEs Practitioners who want to better understand HOPE can benefit from studying ‘the DNA’ of HOPE which is the Science of the Positive Framework (Linkenbach, 2013) www.montanainstitute.com. HOPE – Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences https://positiveexperience.org/ is emerged from applying the Science of the Positive framework which focuses on the study of how positive factors impact culture and experience. It focuses on how to measure and grow the positive, and has been applied over decades with agencies, communities, tribes and organizations. Our work centers on the core assumption that the positive is real and is worth growing – in ourselves, our families, our workplaces, and our communities (Linkenbach, 2007).

The Science of the Positive should not be confused with simple “positive thinking.” It is a rigorous process that works with transformative processes across entire cultures. And while the Science of the Positive is based on the core assumption that the positive exists in every community and culture, it recognizes that suffering, pain, and trauma are very real. One of its principal aims is to reduce suffering in our families, our communities, and ourselves.

Those of us who work to reduce ACEs and its systematic impacts can sometimes become so focused on reducing trauma and problems, we are funded to decrease that we forget this core truth that underneath the hurt is the healing that comes from revealing ‘the Positive.’ The Science of the Positive reverses a problem-centered frame, and focuses on growing the healthy, positive, protective factors that already exist in each one of us, and our families, communities, and cultures. When we start to look at the world through this positive, hopeful lens, it has a profound on impact the questions we ask, the data we collect, and the way we address health, safety and child development. One of the questions we posed was, “What if the Positive has lasting impacts similar to trauma?”

REDUCING RISKS AND INCREASING PROTECTIONS

The wisdom of PACEs Connections is that it focuses on reducing risks and increasing protections. At the Montana Institute we teach the Science of the Positive Framework and applications like HOPE by simplifying complex PACES science into manageable concepts. For example: public health has always focused on utilizing science to direct policies and programs to effectively reduce risks (RED DOWNWARD ARROW) while increasing protections (GREEN UPWARD ARROW). These two concepts, red arrow and green arrow always exist together and a key skill for practitioners is learning how to balance and integrate these two dynamics. The same is seen with HOPE where we are still seeking ways reducing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) while increasing positive childhood experiences (PCEs). Once people understand this simple relationship between ACES and PCES they are ready to explore applications for creating change and transformation – a process for reducing ‘the red arrows’ and increase ‘the green arrows.’ Integration of these dynamics is at the core of PACEs Connections.

THE CYCLE OF TRANSFORMATION

The primary method of practice in the Science of the Positive Framework is known as the Cycle of Transformation (Linkenbach, 2015). Four essential domains – SPIRIT – SCIENCE – ACTION & RETURN – make up the transformational process, and these domains, when fully engaged, work together to create a synergistic cycle of positive transformation.

START WITH SPIRIT FIRST…
The Spirit of the Positive always comes first in order to establish the context and tone of our work. As scientists, therapists and practitioners we have sometimes gotten locked into a two-dimensional approach to our work, in which we only see two domains of how science leads to action. However, at the human level where healing occurs, we must start with the powerful connections of relationships. The Science of the Positive directs our efforts in a unique way by incorporating and integrating spirit into this process. By re-engaging with spirit and re-igniting hope, our work proceeds guided by core principles that allow us to ask different questions, reach people with more authenticity and truly create room for cultural transformation.

...THEN SCIENCE
Once we connect with a positive spirit and work to develop our core values, principles and purpose, we must next seek an accurate understanding of the world around us. Science is about asking new questions, answering those questions with rigor, and seeking the best possible understanding of the communities in which we work. Our perceptions of what is happening both in our communities and in our own organizations are often inaccurate. These misperceptions will cause us to get stuck in our work. Through science, we seek to understand the positive protections that are also existing alongside risk factors- (Green Arrows and Red Arrows)

...TO LEAD ACTIONS
Public health promotion professionals are always eager to jump in and take Action. We want to start improving the health of our communities and reduce ACES immediately and start seeing results yesterday. But Action must come from scientific direction. Without clear understanding of our purpose and the community we are working in, we cannot engage in meaningful Action that fosters both change and transformation. Collective actions embrace the Spirit and promise of HOPE. Evidence-based approaches, best practices and science informed actions are critical for achieving desired outcomes.

...FOR DESIRED RETURNS
A crucial and often overlooked part of health promotion work is the element of Return: a time of rest, recovery, and renewal before the cycle begins again. Our dominant culture is fixated on action. The structured reflection required by Return is hard work, and stillness takes enormous energy. However, this domain is where we develop insights and wisdom. This last step of the Spirit-Science-Action-Return Cycle is a place of humility and authenticity. We reflect on how we have established a positive spirit, used our best science, and taken actions to make change. We have grown, learned, and been tested, and now have wisdom to continue our journey and serve others.

THE DNA OF HOPE

The Cycle of Transformation is at the heart of all of our HOPE research and practice. And, just like the presence and expression of DNA isn’t always obvious but is powerfully operating and influencing us as human beings, the presence of the DNA of HOPE: The Science of the Positive Framework, is also hidden but also powerfully influencing all spirit, science, actions and returns.

Even if you have read our initial publication, Balancing ACES with HOPE (Below), look again now at the abstract (below) with new eyes and see the four key strands of the HOPE framework notice how they are rooted in SPIRIT-SCIENCE-ACTION-RETURN.

Sege, R., Bethell, C., Linkenbach, J., Jones, J., Klika, B. & Pecora, P.J. (2017). Balancing adverse childhood experiences with HOPE: New insights into the role of positive experience on child and family development. Boston: The Medical Foundation. Accessed at www.montanainstitute.com

Abstract Balancing ACES With HOPE

This report presents evidence for HOPE (Health Outcomes of Positive Experiences) based on newly released, compelling data that reinforce the need to promote positive experiences for children and families in order to foster healthy childhood development despite the adversity common in so many families. These data:

Establish a spirit of hope and optimism and make the case that positive experiences have lasting impact on human development and functioning, without ignoring well-documented concerns related to toxic environments.
Demonstrate, through science, the powerful contribution of positive relationships and experiences to the development of healthy children and adults.
Describe actions related to current social norms regarding parenting practices, particularly those associated with healthy child development. These actions are based on data that suggest that American adults are willing to intervene personally to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Reflect upon the positive returns on investment that our society can expect as we make changes in policies, practices, and future research to support positive childhood environments that foster the healthy development of children.

The DNA of HOPE – is the Science of the Positive Framework. At the heart of this approach is the Cycle of Transformation which moves through the four domains of spirit, science, action and return. We can increase our knowledge and effectiveness with PACEs – Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences by understanding and applying the Science of the Positive framework to our work. In doing so, we combine insights from a public health approach to preventing child maltreatment with a broader understanding of how children grow to become strong, healthy, and resilient adults. The Spirit and language of HOPE – Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences – are focused on potential and seen through a positive lens. We seek to understand through science – the effects of positive childhood experiences, so that we can expand actions that build on pre-existing strengths. Then collectively, we take time to reflect upon outcomes and think about new ways to image a world of expanding HOPE.

Join us to learn more about the DNA of HOPE – in Big Sky, Montana in June 2022 or visit www.montanainstitute.com for trainings and webinars.

Dr. Jeffrey W. Linkenbach, is Director & Research Scientist, The Montana Institute, Co-Investigator, HOPE Center. His email is Jeff@MontanaInstitute.com

REFERENCES

Essentials for Childhood: Creating Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships and Environments for All Children https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...ssentials/index.html

Linkenbach, J. (2007). The seven core principles of the Science of the Positive workbook. A publication of The Montana Institute, LLC. Available at http://www.montanainstitute.com/publications

Linkenbach, J. (2013). Applying the Science of the Positive to health & safety. Bozeman, MT The Montana Institute. Retrieved from: https://static1.squarespace.co...ealth+%26+Safety.pdf

Linkenbach, J. (2015). An introduction to Positive Community Norms: A guide to PCN leadership, communication and integration. Bozeman, MT: The Montana Institute, LLC. Available at www.MontanaInstitute.com [Participant Manual]

Sege, R., & Linkenbach, J. (2014). Essentials for childhood: Promoting healthy outcomes from positive experiences. Pediatrics, 133(6) 1-3. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-3425.