https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/20012 2026-04-14T23:19:43Z 2026-04-14T23:19:43Z Callus, Anne-Marie https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145249 2026-03-30T07:32:55Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The quality of life of persons with visual impairment and their families Authors: Callus, Anne-Marie Abstract: The aim of this research was to investigate the quality of life of persons with visual impairment and their families. The research was carried out by Prof. Anne-Marie Callus, on behalf of The Malta Trust Foundation through funding from the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, and in consultation with the Malta Federation of the Visually Impaired. Research ethics approval was obtained from the Faculty for Social Wellbeing Research Ethics Committee, University of Malta.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Barbara, Abner Francis Callus, Anne-Marie https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/138369 2025-08-26T06:32:37Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The lived experience of empowerment and overprotection on (in)dependent living of persons with intellectual disability Authors: Barbara, Abner Francis; Callus, Anne-Marie Abstract: This study investigated how persons with intellectual disabilities in Malta experience either empowerment or overprotection in their daily lives. One-to-one interviews were conducted with four adults with intellectual disabilities and their mothers. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Two persons with intellectual disability were found to be empowered, while the other two were found to be overprotected. Empowerment fosters opportunities for personal and social development, more possibilities for relationships and more personal time and privacy – all of which support independent living. Overproctetion reinforces the lack of independent living skills, social isolation and lack of personal time and space. Support services are needed to break the cycle of overprotection. These services should consider and support the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Bonnici, Cynthia Callus, Anne-Marie https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136806 2025-07-03T07:20:57Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Empowering sounds or trivial rhythmic variations? Persons with intellectual disability expressing themselves through music Authors: Bonnici, Cynthia; Callus, Anne-Marie Abstract: The aim of this study was to understand the effects that music has on the life of people with intellectual disability. Three participants who communicate in non-traditional ways were selected, alongside their music therapist or music practitioners and their primary care givers. “Narrative portraiture,” an innovative and creative qualitative methodology that focuses on the creation of descriptive narrations, was adopted. Multiple observations were carried out with the main participants and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the non-disabled participants. This study confirms that music helps people who choose to engage in non-traditional communication to express themselves without the use of words. Through their active musical invol- vement, participants with disability experienced an enhanced quality of life. Music also seemed to positively impact non-disabled people who were in close proximity with the main participants, by creating pathways of positive understanding and driving the development of more meaningful connec- tions. The need to provide people with intellectual disability with appropriate spaces and sensitive persons is crucial.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Callus, Anne-Marie Gauci, Maria Victoria https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136804 2025-07-03T07:17:20Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Living with a disability : social relational narratives Authors: Callus, Anne-Marie; Gauci, Maria Victoria Abstract: This chapter presents three narratives of the lives of two disabled persons and of a parent and her disabled child in Malta. These narratives are analysed through the social-relational model of disability by exploring how impairment-related needs, interaction with the environment, and interconnection with others play out in the lives of these four persons. Following a discussion of the SRM and the research methodology, brief vignettes of the three narratives are presented. Further, biographical details are provided in the subsequent analysis, which starts by considering how the three narrators processed life with a disability. Social-relational model then comes to the fore in the discussion of the intersection between disabling barriers and impairment in the lives of the narrators. The discussion then moves on to the narrators’ projections for the future. In the conclusion, the study’s contribution to a better understanding of the SRMD is discussed.

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