OAR@UM Collection:https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/298102024-03-29T14:33:00Z2024-03-29T14:33:00ZThe weaving of a tapestry : stories of how child trauma therapists give meaning to their parenthoodhttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/851272021-12-06T06:18:43Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: The weaving of a tapestry : stories of how child trauma therapists give meaning to their parenthood
Abstract: The study explores how child trauma therapists give meaning to their parenthood through the use of stories. The parenthood experiences refer to the therapists‘ experience of being parents to their own children. The research questions posed look into how child trauma therapists experience parenthood and how they give meaning to these experiences. The study explores how working with children who have experienced trauma impacts meaning making of parenthood and how this makes sense with regards to existing literature. The current study endorses a social constructionist conceptual framework and uses Systemic Theory and the Maltese Context as theoretical frameworks. In depth interviews were conducted with four child trauma therapists, adopting a Narrative Analysis approach, aimed at generating data in
the form of stories. Results show the dynamic nature of the meaning endowed to parenting through the different parental stages. Moreover the stories depict the different factors which impact how child trauma therapists give meaning to their parenthood and the effects of vicarious and secondary trauma and growth on the participants‘ meaning making process. The findings gave rise to recommendations for future research while the implications for practice, supervision and training in the field of psychology were also presented.
Description: M.PSY.COUNSELLING2017-01-01T00:00:00ZUnderstanding the complex interplay between substance use, offending behaviour and victimisation amongst women in Malta : a grounded theory studyhttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/851042021-12-06T06:14:14Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Understanding the complex interplay between substance use, offending behaviour and victimisation amongst women in Malta : a grounded theory study
Abstract: A plethora of quantitative studies have been dedicated to understanding the social and psychological phenomena of offending behaviour, substance abuse and victimisation. Traditionally, these have been examined as distinct entities with a predominant focus on their influence on the male forensic population. However, the gender gap with regards to crime and substance abuse is narrowing. A review of the current literature indicates a dearth of research and theories exploring the complexity and interrelatedness of these phenomena, particularly within the female population and even more so within the Maltese context. The
aim of this research is to fill this lacuna in the literature by developing a grounded theory of the complex interplay between victimisation, substance abuse and offending behaviour among women in the Maltese context. Guided by a career approach conceptual framework, this was carried out through the exploration of the victimisation, addictive and offending career trajectories of 12 women, who are either incarcerated or in a residential drug treatment facility. Data was gathered qualitatively through in-depth interviews and analysed using a grounded theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1990) methodology. Data collection and analysis were conducted concurrently with theoretical sampling and the constant comparative method
guiding the research process. A grounded substantive theory, highlighting the gendered nature of the phenomena was developed and seven core categories were elicited, highlighting how the process initially unfolds and develops over time. The strategies that the participants employed to negotiate gender-based victimisation experiences throughout their lifetime, namely the development of a victim identity and the self-medication of emotional distress were explored, together with their influence on the onset and development of the careers as female addicts and offenders. The impact of changes in identity, such as the tension created between deviant and conventional identities was analysed with reference to major turning
points, such as pregnancy and motherhood. An exploration of facilitating contingencies on the process of desistance was also conducted, including the role of shame and the awareness of the negative impact of the deviant lifestyle on the self and on the family. Moreover, the obstacles towards exiting the process, such as a lack of motivation and desire, were also explored. This was done in light of the participants’ interpretation of such contingencies. The research highlighted a number of implications for practice, policy and future research. These include the need for gender-responsive intervention and interagency collaboration that acknowledges and accommodates for the complex and unique needs of female substance users and offenders.
Description: M.Psy.(Clin.)2017-01-01T00:00:00ZUnderstanding the experience of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis disclosure : the patient-carer dyads’ and geriatricians’ perspectivehttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/850092021-12-06T06:08:56Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Understanding the experience of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis disclosure : the patient-carer dyads’ and geriatricians’ perspective
Abstract: The experience of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis disclosure is a complex phenomenon, not
only for the patient and their carers receiving the diagnosis, but also for the professionals who break
the bad news. The primary aim of this exploratory study was to elucidate the experience of AD
diagnosis disclosure from the patient-carer dyads’ and geriatricians’ perspective, and understand how
the experience of the patient-carer dyads’ parallels with that of the geriatricians’. Interpretative
phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore this phenomenon from multiple perspectives.
Eight participants (group 1: three patient-carer dyads; group 2: five geriatricians) were recruited
through purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were carried out. Data was analysed
using IPA. The findings from the patient-carer dyads’ shed light on their pre-diagnostic experience,
their experience of the diagnosis disclosure, and the implications of living with AD. The findings
also highlighted the different mechanisms employed by the dyads to cope with the diagnosis. The
geriatricians experience in breaking the bad news was described as challenging, as during the process
of diagnosis disclosure, various dilemmas and considerations emerged. Different factors influenced
the process of disclosure. The geriatricians described multitude of emotions in breaking the bad news
and recognised the importance of various coping strategies. After comparing and contrasting the
interviews of group 1 and group 2, a holistic understanding of AD diagnosis disclosure for the parties
involved emerged. These findings illustrated that there are similarities and differences in the
experience of group 1 and group 2 participants. In conclusion, this research highlighted various
recommendations for clinical practice, policymakers, future research, and education in relation to the
area of AD diagnosis disclosure.
Description: M.PSY.2017-01-01T00:00:00ZPsychiatrists' perceptions of schizophrenia and its recovery in the Maltese contexthttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/849942021-12-06T06:04:57Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Psychiatrists' perceptions of schizophrenia and its recovery in the Maltese context
Abstract: Psychiatrists' perceptions of schizophrenia and its recovery have a direct impact on how the psychiatrist interacts with the patient and the individuals' journey of recovery. The author carried out semi-structured interviews with six psychiatrists who have completed their postgraduate specialization in psychiatry. Through thematic analysis, the researcher organized the findings into four overarching themes: psychiatrists' perceptions of schizophrenia; ways of working with individuals with schizophrenia; the relational aspect of working with individuals with schizophrenia; and, psychiatrists' perceptions of recovery in schizophrenia. All participants viewed schizophrenia as an illness with a biological basis. Making a
diagnosis of schizophrenia was said to be largely based on clinical experience. Medication was seen as a central part of treatment, such that engaging the patient was considered to be a priority. Complete recovery was defined as being asymptomatic and being able to function without the use of medication; however, living in the community while being on medication was also seen as a form of recovery. Only one psychiatrist defined recovery according to the recovery model, which views the individual as a whole with the potential of living a meaningful life despite schizophrenia. A number of participants noted the lack of adequate community services and human resources needed to be able to adopt a more multidisciplinary
approach to the treatment of schizophrenia. Policy makers need to become sensitive to the way the current structure of the local mental health system influences psychiatrists' view of recovery and their decisions regarding the treatment of individuals with schizophrenia.
Description: M.PSY.COUNSELLING2017-01-01T00:00:00Z