The Impacts of Spirituality, Religion and Certain Cultural Norms on the Mental Health of Children

An interview with Valerie Michaelson

What are the benefits of meditation and prayer when it comes to children's mental health? What are the long term mental health impacts of physical punishment? How do certain cultural norms help or hurt our kids and what do we need to do to create positive change?

In today's episode Dr. Valerie Michaelson sheds light on research that has been done in the area of children's mental health.

Dr. Valerie Michaelson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Brock University. Her research focuses on health equity and the social dimensions of the health of children. Social justice and human rights are core to her work. In one area of her research, she examines the social, cultural and religious norms that rationalize or normalize harmful health behaviors or attitudes, and that lead to adverse health outcomes. Her current projects focus on violence, spirituality, mental health, and decolonization and reconciliation. Most of her projects have participatory strands, in which young people are positioned as co-researchers, and she recognizes children as competent and insightful agents in interpreting their own worlds.

Make sure to check out the episode on the podcast for the full interview…

This episode was recorded earlier and published on May 31st, 2021 on The Insider Mom Podcast

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