Parents’ views on their own and their children’s well-being in the context of organised after-school activities in disadvantaged areas

BACKGROUND: In Sweden, a high proportion of the population have a migrant background. Many of them reside in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and face challenges with integration, unemployment, and unstable housing conditions. In Malmö, Sweden, the municipality has established so-called All-Activity Houses, located in disadvantaged areas and offering after-school activities that are developed in close collaboration with the children themselves. There is a need to evaluate the effects of the All-Activity Houses and their activities on the children's well-being. Therefore, using a community-based participatory research approach, the aim of the current study is to describe the parents' views on their children's and their own well-being, as well as the key social factors influencing it, in the context of participation in the All-Activity Houses. METHODS: The method used was Multi-Stage Focus Groups, consisting of a series of focus group meetings conducted over an extended period during 2023-2024. Eighteen parents, with a background from nine different countries, chose to participate. The data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that social relations were strengthened by the activities in the All-Activity Houses, not only for the children but also for the whole family. The activities affected the well-being of the children in different ways, for example, by making them engage in physical activity. Besides helping the children to develop, the activities also increased their joy. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the parents had a very positive attitude to the impact that the activities within the All-Activity Houses had on their children's and their own well-being. The results also revealed that the parents wished for support in their parenting, and that further research is needed regarding parental support and its effect in similar communities.