During the winter months, many people may be experiencing the winter blues, but a recent Brock University study is showing kindness may be a way to combat this.
Through the Mentalization, Kindness and Well-being Teen Study — research led by Sandra Bosacki, a Professor in the Department of Educational Studies, explores how kindness plays a role in the links between young people’s mentalization skills.
Bosacki says a lot of the time it’s easy for people to be kind to one another, as often times it can be a small action.
Adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 years old are invited to participate in the ongoing study. Each participant is required to have a personal email address and informed consent provided by one parent.
Participants will complete an online survey, which takes place using Qualtrics and over Microsoft Teams with a researcher to help guide them through the process, which usually takes about 60 minutes and involves watching short video clips and filling out questionnaires.
After the session is completed, participants’ parents will be sent a digital gift card, and will have the opportunity to participate in a follow-up study next year. Anyone interested in taking part can contact the Theory of Mind in Education lab by email at tomelab@brocku.ca
Bosacki adds that she hopes this research inspires others to take part in ‘Random Acts of Kindness Day’ on February 17th.
(Written by: Matt Latour)
