Childhood Health Assets in a Spanish Neighborhood: Children and Families’ Perception

Abstract

The health assets (HA; factors or resources that maintain or improves health) approach has hardly been incorporated in occupational therapy, and even less so in research focused on children’s perception. The objective of this study was to provide context-specific empirical evidence regarding children and families’ perception of childhood HA, paying special attention to the occupational dimension. We used a mixed methods design including qualitative research with 130 children using various techniques (brainstorming, focus groups, thematic drawing, and individual interview) and a descriptive study based on a questionnaire answered by 58 families. Most children related well-being to play occupations and belonging. We observed the influence of gender roles, ethnicity, and other socioeconomic factors in the identification and access to HA. We recommend delving into the relationship between the HA approach and occupational therapy, considering the children’s perspective, interculturality, and gender perspectives.