CQU Bluey research goes global (with a Wiggle!)
CQUniversity research mapping the resilience-building benefits of kids’ tv hit Bluey has travelled the world, following in the footsteps of the iconic Australian cartoon character herself.
The first academic deep-dive into the psychology of Bluey, the recent study was front page news in Brisbane’s Courier Mail, featured on the BBC, The Conversation, and IFLScience, and reached millions through more than 600 media headlines globally.
Now, the enthusiastic researchers have reached a new audience, alongside more children’s entertainment royalty – on Wiggle Talk, a parenting podcast hosted by red and purple Wiggles, Simon Pryce and Lachy Gillespie.
WATCH HERE: Can Watching Children’s TV Actually Build Resilience 🎧 Wiggle Talk - The Wiggles Podcast for Parents
CQU Psychology alumnus and Townsville-based mental health practitioner Kelly Bohl analysed 150 episodes of the Australian-made show, coding them against a global framework for assessing children’s resilience.
CQU Senior Lecturer in Psychology Dr Bradley Smith co-authored the study, published in The Educational and Developmental Psychologist science journal.
They 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.”
Dr Smith’s expertise as an animal behaviourist, and a dad of three, has also informed his perspective on the popular show.
He recently shared his diverse research and experience on popular US science podcast Socializing with Scientists.
“Bluey is such a global phenomenon, and a lot of the storylines are about resilience – and because it’s designed to be co-viewed for parents and children, it gives families opportunities to encourage discussion about these challenges that kids face.”
As well as young fans absorbing the positive messages, the researchers found 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,” Kelly explained.
“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.
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.
