Mariana Brussoni

Associate Professor University of British Columbia

  • Vancouver BC

Brussoni's research focuses on child injury prevention, including risky play, parents' perspectives on safety, and Aboriginal injuries.

Contact

Social

Biography

Dr. Mariana Brussoni is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. She is a scientist with the Child and Family Research Institute and the BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit. Mariana is also a board member of the Child & Nature Alliance of Canada. Trained as a developmental psychologist, Mariana investigates child injury prevention. Current research interests include the influence of geographic, cultural and social places on parenting related to risk and safety; developmental importance of children’s risky play; the impact of injury on children’s health related quality of life; injuries in Aboriginal populations; and, injury surveillance.

Industry Expertise

Research
Health Care - Services
Education/Learning

Areas of Expertise

Injury Prevention
Child Development
Parenting
Outdoor Play
Risky Play
Aboriginal Health
Higher Education
Health Research
University Teaching

Accomplishments

Category Champion Award

2014-01-01

CST Inspired Minds Learning Project

Salary Award

2013-01-01

Child & Family Research Institute

Peter Wall Research Mentorship Award

2013-01-01

Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, University of British Columbia

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Education

University of Calgary

BA(Hon)

Psychology

1994

University of British Columbia

MA

Developmental Psychology

1996

University of British Columbia

PhD

Developmental Psychology

2000

Affiliations

  • Associate Professor Department of Pediatrics University of British Columbia
  • Associate Professor School of Population and Public Health University of British Columbia
  • Investigator British Columbia Children's Hospital
  • Academic Scientist BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Media Appearances

Adding natural elements to playgrounds can help depression in kids: study

CTV News  

2016-04-13

"Depressive symptoms like looking sad or not smiling much went down after the modifications. The videos showed kids much more engaged in play and engaged in positive ways with each other," said co-researcher Mariana Brussoni, an associate professor in UBC’s school of population and public health and pediatrics, and a scientist at B.C. Children’s Hospital, in a release...

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Kids more active, less depressed when playgrounds include natural elements

Medical XPress  

2016-04-12

"Depressive symptoms like looking sad or not smiling much went down after the modifications. The videos showed kids much more engaged in play and engaged in positive ways with each other," said co-researcher Mariana Brussoni, an associate professor in UBC's school of population and public health and pediatrics, and a scientist at the Child & Family Research Institute at B.C. Children's Hospital...

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Kids happier in play spaces with elements of nature, study suggests

The Globe and Mail  

2016-04-12

Children aged 2 to 5 were observed before and after sand, grass, bamboo shoots and water features were strategically placed in previously sparse daycare centre playgrounds. Visible displays of depressive symptoms – such as frowning and appearing sad – were rated by researchers using two standardized questionnaires, said Mariana Brussoni, study co-researcher and professor in the University of British Columbia’s faculty of medicine...

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Research Grants

The State of Play: Socio-ecological perspectives on children’s outdoor play

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

2015-01-01

Principal Investigator

Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program

Public Health Agency of Canada

2015-01-01

Principal Investigator

Risky play meets nature play: The influence of outdoor play spaces and risky play on child development

UBC Hampton Fund

2013-01-01

Co-Principal Investigators: Mariana Brussoni & Susan Herrington

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Articles

Beyond physical activity: The importance of play and nature-based play spaces for children’s health and development

Current Obesity Reports

2015

The reduction of child obesity continues to be a challenge worldwide. Research indicates that playing outdoors, particularly in natural play spaces, boosts children’s physical activity, potentially decreasing childhood obesity. We present evidence that natural play spaces also provide for more diverse forms of play for children of varying ages and competencies.

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An evaluation of evidence-based pediatric injury prevention policies in Canada

BMC Public Health

2015

Policies to reduce injury among Canadians can be controversial and there is variability in the enactment of injury prevention laws across the country. In general, laws are most effective when they are based on good research evidence, supported by widespread public awareness and education, and maintained by consistent enforcement strategies.

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Position statement on active outdoor play

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

2015

A diverse, cross-sectorial group of partners, stakeholders and researchers, collaborated to develop an evidence-informed Position Statement on active outdoor play for children aged 3–12 years. The Position Statement was created in response to practitioner, academic, legal, insurance and public debate, dialogue and disagreement on the relative benefits and harms of active (including risky) outdoor play.

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