Abstract
Children living in resource-constrained environments have
high levels of unmet psychosocial needs. Through participatory
focus groups, we juxtaposed the views of 55 children
aged 7–10 years from resource-constrained settings in South
Africa and Pakistan, with those of 96 service providers, focusing
on available sources of psychosocial support. Children
largely relied on individual and relational resources, with limited
awareness of structural supports. Service providers
focused less on children’s capacity, instead viewing schools
and community-based resources as essential sources for psychosocial
support. Children’s agency and capacity should be
recognized and bolstered to inform service planning, community-
based interventions, and systemic change.