The influence of poverty on children’s patterns of participation in occupations, their well-being, and potential

Background Child poverty is a pervasive issue, harming children’s development, health, well-being, and future prospects. Limited research has explored how poverty influences children’s patterns of participation in occupations and the flow-on effects for their well-being and potential to develop their capacities and thrive as adults. This study aimed to highlight the perspectives of children, families, and communities living in poverty.Methods The research question was: What are the ways in which poverty shapes children’s patterns of participation in occupations, their potential, and well-being? Dewey’s pragmatist philosophy underpinned the study. Stake’s qualitative case study methodology (CSM) was chosen for its alignment with pragmatism, enabling holistic, in-depth inquiry in natural contexts. The study explored two socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods in an Aotearoa New Zealand city (2021–2022) through transactional, occupational, and life course perspectives. Participants (n = 25) included children, their parent/s, and community workers. Child-friendly data collection methods were used, with Stake’s CSM guiding analysis and rigour.Findings Despite efforts by children, their parent/s, families, and community, multidimensional poverty severely constrained children’s participation in occupations, limiting their opportunities to develop capacities and patterns of occupation essential for their well-being and future prospects.Conclusion The findings support the assertion that poverty breaches children’s rights, and that depriving them of opportunities for participation is occupationally unjust and negatively impacts their well-being and capacity to realise their potential. The perspectives of children, their families, and community providers are essential to informing occupationally focused, poverty-mitigation solutions.