https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/327 2026-06-27T04:54:45Z 2026-06-27T04:54:45Z Xiberras, Sarah Clark, Marilyn https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147482 2026-06-17T05:54:32Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Navigating absence : a grounded theory of adults’ retrospective accounts of childhood parental incarceration in Malta Authors: Xiberras, Sarah; Clark, Marilyn Abstract: Purpose – This study aims to develop an explanatory framework for understanding how children of incarcerated parents negotiate the experience of having a parent in prison, including both the risks they face and the strengths they build. The research examines this retrospectively, by investigating how individuals who are now adults navigated parental incarceration in Malta, a small-state context where stigma and social exclusion are intensified.; Design/methodology/approach – Using grounded theory methodology and a constructivist epistemology, the study developed a substantive level theory rooted in participants’ interpretations and grounded in meanings constructed through social interactions. Framed by a risk and resilience approach, eight Maltese adults (aged 18–40) who experienced parental incarceration between ages 6–18 participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method, producing four interlinked conceptual categories.; Findings – The emergent explanatory framework highlights that children of incarcerated parents face multiple risks and repercussions, including the initial loss of the parent, navigating between home and prison worlds, experiencing courtesy stigma and enduring long-term emotional and relational impacts. These findings reveal parental incarceration as dynamic and enduring. Yet, protective mechanisms such as open communication, supportive caregiving and maintaining positive contact with the incarcerated parent, mitigated adverse effects and fostered adaptation, adjustment and resilience.; Practical implications – The study emphasises the need for interventions that prioritise children’s voices, strengthen family support systems and promote resilience-building through school and community networks.; Originality/value – By centring on children’s lived experiences of parental incarceration in Malta, this study fills a critical gap in the local literature. It complements and extends international quantitative research by offering a culturally grounded, qualitative perspective that captures nuanced socioemotional processes often overlooked.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Gellel, Manuel Clark, Marilyn Bell, Albert https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147141 2026-06-05T12:27:12Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Standing at the crossroads : a grounded theory of early-stage desistance from heroin careers in Malta Authors: Gellel, Manuel; Clark, Marilyn; Bell, Albert Abstract: Evidence suggests that individuals affected by problematic heroin use can desist at various points in their drug-using career. Drawing on a doctoral study that developed a non-linear four-stage model of desistance from heroin careers within the Maltese context, this paper focuses on exploring the contingencies that are in place during the initial pre-desistance stage. The study adopted an evolved grounded theory methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-two participants, fourteen identifying as male and eight as female, who had desisted from heroin careers for a minimum of five years. Findings show that a series of setbacks encountered after committing to a heroin career can create profound ambivalence, leading to pivotal reckoning moments that prompt individuals to consider change. Importantly, the emergence of hope that desistance is possible appears to play an instrumental role in initiating the desistance process.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147099 2026-06-03T12:31:43Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Exploring the impact of activism on the psychological wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ activists Abstract: This study explores how queer activists in Malta perceive the impact of their activism within LGBTIQ+ social movement organisations (SMOs) on their psychological wellbeing, and how these experiences influence their motivation to sustain engagement in activism. Employing a qualitative research design, seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with self-identifying queer activists involved in Maltese LGBTIQ+ SMOs. Reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) revealed complex psychosocial dynamics encompassing both positive and negative effects of queer activism. Activists in this study described cyclical processes through which they developed activist identities alongside queer and other identities, as well as becoming wounded healers. Other key themes included learning as an ongoing process, and confronting stigma, systemic oppression, and burnout. The findings underscore the dual nature of activism, in that it promotes psychological wellbeing through various dimensions, while causing psychological strain. Thus, this research highlights the importance of resilience, social support, and self-care practices in sustaining activists’ wellbeing and motivation within a context of hyper-personalised politics and strong communal ties. By addressing gaps in the literature, this dissertation advances understanding of the interplay between activism, psychological wellbeing, and motivation in queer communities, offering valuable insights for supporting activist health in small, interconnected social settings. Description: H.Dip.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146528 2026-05-18T17:28:35Z 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Navigating the juror role in Maltese criminal trials : a narrative inquiry Abstract: Research into the juror role highlights the demanding nature of jury service, requiring individuals to adapt to unfamiliar legal settings, emotional strain, and the burden of decision-making. This study explores narratives of individuals who served in Maltese criminal trials, aiming to understand how they assumed and negotiated the role. Six former jurors participated in semi-structured interviews, and data was analysed through narrative inquiry using Dewey’s three-dimensional model of experience, alongside social constructionist role theories. Findings reveal that while participants recognised the gravity of their responsibilities, they faced challenges like limited agency and questionable audience segregation. Adopting the role involved ambiguous transitions, with pre-trial expectations and prior knowledge sometimes clashing with courtroom realities. Relinquishing the role post-trial evoked both relief and disorientation. Participants evaluated the performances of other courtroom figures, with these interactions shaping their experience. The study underscores the complexity of the juror role and offers recommendations for future research.

2026-03-01T00:00:00Z