Bluey resilience-building benefits to last a lifetime
A Queensland psychology researcher has found that kids' tv juggernaut Bluey could deliver fans life-long mental health benefits, thanks to one key plot-point.
Townsville-based mental health practitioner Kelly Bohl analysed 150 episodes of the Australian-made show, mapping each episode against a global framework for assessing children’s resilience.
The research was part of her CQUniversity studies and has just been published in The Educational and Developmental Psychologist science journal.
It’s the first academic deep-dive into the psychology of Bluey to be published, and Kelly found that around half of all episodes modelled resilience-building behaviours for young viewers.
“Resilience is the ability to cope with challenges, and we know that developing a resilient mindset in childhood can help people overcome adversity right through our lives,” Kelly explained.
“When I started watching Bluey – as an adult who doesn’t have young children but does have an interest in positive viewing habits! – I noticed characters regularly living these lessons in emotional strength, coping and recovery.”
The Grotberg Resilience Framework highlights the three sources of resilience for children (I HAVE, I AM, I CAN) that refer to internal and external resources, sense of self and autonomy to respond to challenges. Importantly, it highlights that resilience is not innate, but a learned skill – something Bluey repeatedly shows, Kelly said.
“For instance, in the episode Sleepytime, Bingo’s dreamy journey through space and learning to sleep in her own bed - viewers see her growing independence through the comfort of knowing she is still deeply connected to her family,” Kelly said.
“The resilience message is unspoken, but Bingo’s autonomy is built on the loving presence of a parent, even from afar, to provide the emotional anchor children need to feel safe and brave.
“I also love that kids can see in Bluey, resilience doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly or without fear – it means continuing to try, even when things feel overwhelming!”
As well as young fans absorbing the positive messages, Kelly said Bluey had a secondary benefit – it shows adult viewers how to model resilience for the children around them.
“Adults play a vital role in nurturing resilience through supportive environments and positive relationships, for instance parents or caregivers who nurture their children in loving, safe, supportive environments create protective factors in mitigating the effects caused from adversity,” she explained.
“My research shows that parent characters in Bluey are the facilitators for resilience-building in 64 per cent of the resilience plotlines – and anecdotally, parents around the world are watching Bluey with their kids and modelling their own parenting on the Heeler family.”
Kelly graduated with her Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) last year and published her findings with her supervisor and Senior Lecturer in Psychology Dr Bradley Smith, alongside CQU communications colleague Mary Bolling.
Kelly juggled her part-time studies with work in mental health, and said she became an unofficial ambassador for Bluey while she deep-dived the popular show.
“My colleagues, my family, my friends – everyone knew all about Bluey once I was doing the research!” she laughed.
“Especially during times when I felt overwhelmed by study, placement and work responsibilities, I thought of Bluey’s mum Chilli’s checklist from the episode The Show: ‘Have a little cry. Then, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going! The show must go on!’
“I allow myself to feel disappointed, but I also recognise that mistakes are part of learning…resilience means continuing on with care, courage and a willingness to grow from setbacks."
Bluey has become globally beloved since it launched on ABC TV in 2018, with Americans alone watching 55.8 billion minutes in 2024 – making the Queensland creation the most-watched show in the US.
“I’d love to see more children’s content creators use my study to embed meaningful resilience narratives into their storytelling,” Kelly said.
“More importantly, I hope parents, carers and educators realise the value of watching Bluey alongside their little people, to tap into those really relatable moments, and to start the conversation about growing resilience for real life.”
Explore psychology, mental health and wellbeing pathways at CQUniversity's Psychology webpage.
