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Abstract
Several risk factors for children’s mental health and wellness have been established. These are compounded by inequalities, especially in Majority World Countries (MWC). As evidence is largely based on adult reports, we aimed to capture children’s experiences of risk across five MWC resource-constrained settings (Brazil, Pakistan, Turkey, Kenya, and South Africa) during the height of COVID-19 pandemic. Participants included 36 children aged 8–10 years and 37 young people aged 14–16 years. We employed a thematic design using a participatory methodological approach in collecting data through diary entries, drawings, posters, focus groups discussions, and child-led interviews with elders. Two researchers integrated and analysed the data set through a thematic codebook framework. Three identified themes related to exacerbation of existing risks, disruption or loss of protective factors, and lack of access to structural supports. Children linked risk factors along their socioecology. The findings have implications in actively involving children as social actors in determining and addressing risk for mental health and wellness through child-centred and multi-sectoral policy and interventions.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all children for their generous contribution. Also, to their parents and gatekeepers for facilitating their participation. We thank Dr Di Levine for her continuous support and encouragement and acknowledge the involvement of an interdisciplinary research team in the completion of the wider research project.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).