
Dr. Valerie Michaelson
Promoting the well-being of children by integrating
empirical research with
critical reflection on social, cultural and religious values
Other projects
Holistic Health in Children: Holism refers to the assessment of complex systems as composite wholes, instead of or in addition to their constituent parts. What new insights emerge when we ask: "What happens if we look at the "whole child", all at once in context?" These three projects explore that question.

Ontario young people need a brand of sex education that is responsive to current realities and pressures, so they can get the most comprehensive and contemporary information about the issues that they will face and are facing in making decisions about relationships and sexual activity. Yet value-laden debates have recently resurfaced on the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum, with attention focused on sex-ed. Political parties with opposing arguments often zoom in on cultural, moral, religious and family values, but for our children and youth, the stakes are much higher.
Sample of additional peer review publications
Michaelson, V., McKerron, M., Davison, C. Forming ideas about health: a qualitative study of Ontario adolescents. (2015). International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being10: 27506. DOI:10.3402/qhw.v10.27506.
Dube, A.,Bartels, S., Michael, S. & Michaelson, V.Syrian girls in Lebanon, forced migration and resilience: a sensemaker analysis. Journal of International Humanitarian Action (2019) 4:8 p 2-15.
Piccininni, C., Michaelson, V.,Janssen, I., Pickett, W. (2018). The role of outdoor play and nature connectedness in the prevalence of psychosomatic symptoms among Canadian adolescents. Preventive Medicine, (Master's student project)