How peer-activity leaders promote children’s well-being: perspectives from a CBPR-based multi-stakeholder study in Southern Sweden

BACKGROUND: Adult role models and supportive environments are essential for children's health, well-being, and development. Participation in organised leisure activities and access to local meeting places strengthen children's social connectedness, safety, and resilience. In Malmö, Sweden, All-Activity Houses (AAHs) were established to promote children's well-being through free and easily accessible activities led by peer-activity leaders who work closely within the children's everyday environments. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore how peer-activity leaders perceive and promote children's overall well-being, and to identify key mechanisms within the AAH context that contribute to these processes. METHODS: The study applied a participatory action research design with a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach. Data were co-created through multiple focus group meetings using a multistage focus group method within the CBPR teams, complemented by field notes from participant observations. Nineteen peer-activity leaders from four AAHs participated in the study. RESULTS: Five themes emerged, reflecting how peer-activity leaders promote children's well-being: building and sustaining trust; creating a safe place; applying flexibility in response to local conditions and children's needs; promoting equality; and providing care. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest important mechanisms through which peer-activity leaders perceive themselves as contributing to children's well-being.