When thinking about limitations, the first thing that may come to mind is opportunity. This opportunity is limited both by education and availability of good health care. Health care, often through government assistance, that is often offered to at risk children is rooted primarily in the Disease Model. These barriers effect many children in our communities, and this greatly effects their development and future health...

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One publication addresses this limitation:

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“When nations are at war, in famine, poor and in civil turmoil it is quite natural that the endeavors they support will be about defense and damage. When nations are peaceful, sated, wealthy and harmonious they ask, not just about removing the disabling conditions of life, but about creating and ennobling conditions of life. Cosimo the Great’s Florence decided to devote its surplus to beauty and gave us what was later called ‘The Renaissance’. The wealthy world of the late twentieth century met these conditions, and the call for a psychology which was not just about suffering, trauma, depression, victims, irrationality, madness and crime will not fall on deaf ears” (Guha, Martin, and Carson, "Positive Psychology, Utilitarianism And The Pursuit Of Happiness."). 

 

I believe they were correct, there is a need for a Positive Health Psychology movement that focused less on suffering, but this claim also suggests a future downfall of the field. If they are entirely correct, a prolonged period of social instability and famine could sway psychologists' focus back to suffering.

 

However, many psychologists attempt to push for change, regardless of an individual's life situation...

Regardless of this possibility, Positive Health Psychology enticed many psychologists. Even though Seligman theorized that positive psychology might only be possible during a time of peace and prosperity, psychologists have since changed their minds. They claim that, regardless of what is going on in the world, Positive Health Psychology, and the Wellness Model, always plays an important role. Psychologists suggest that the disease model of traditional psychology can never be completely disregarded, but it can be altered to include the values of Positive Health Psychology.

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In my experience...

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During my internship at Mt. Hope Family Center PATH's Program I experienced first hand the cultural barriers the effect at- risk children in our city. This internship was meant to be a positive approach in addressing and managing children's behavior. This program used positive reinforcement to help these children understand and self regulate their behavior, in an attempt to prevent future difficulties (drugs, gangs, etc). I helped create lesson plans and activities that addressed certain personal goals (anger, sadness, friendships, conflict, etc). I must admit that it was a very difficult program, working with violent and troubled children, however it was by far the most rewarding experience. The summer program was not very long, but I saw immense progress in each and every one of them. 

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It is this experience that makes me even more passionate about the Positive Health Psychology approach. Many of these children, prior to this program, could have been diagnosed with ADHD/ADD or disruptive behavior disorders. However, after their completion these same behaviors were better understood and manageable.