Understanding wellbeing together with children from migrant backgrounds living in socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods- A participatory photovoice study

Introduction Although Sweden provides universal child services, unequal access to supportive environments persists particularly among children with migration backgrounds. Children with migration background living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods encounter structural and social conditions that influence their health, development, and lived experiences. Further, there is limited knowledge about how children define wellbeing in these contexts. Such knowledge is essential for understanding inequities in the social conditions that shape children’s health and wellbeing, and for informing policies aimed at reducing these inequities. Thus, this study aims to explore through a participatory process how children with migration background in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods define wellbeing. Methods A study with qualitative participatory action research approach was carried out together with 31 children (15 boys and 16 girls) aged 10–12 with a migration background who participated in activities at three leisure time centers in one of the large cities in Southern Sweden. Data was collected for over a year through multistage focus groups guided using the photovoice method. Children documented aspects of their daily lives, created collages, and worked collaboratively to analyze and interpret insight cards. All discussions were audio recorded and synthesized with the thematic structure developed by the children. Results Three themes described the children’s understanding of wellbeing. The first theme, feeling safe and supported, included emotional security, respectful communication from adults, and access to food, clean surroundings, and play materials. The second theme, belonging and being included, reflected the importance of fairness, acceptance, shared enjoyment, and influence in decisions affecting them. The third theme, growing and developing as a person, included opportunities to learn new skills, engage in creative activities, and develop socially and emotionally through play and group interaction. Conclusion Children’s definitions of wellbeing were connected to the realities of growing up with a migration background in disadvantaged neighborhoods. They described wellbeing in terms of conditions not consistently available to them, although many established frameworks assume such conditions are already met. These findings highlight inequities in the social determinants that shape wellbeing of children with migration backgrounds and underscore the need for policies and interventions that address structural and environmental barriers.