https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87578 2026-06-09T21:59:00Z 2026-06-09T21:59:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87735 2022-01-27T15:31:36Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Exploring the perceptions of the quality of life of mothers raising a child with cerebral palsy Abstract: Background: The responsibilities that accompany the care of a child with cerebral palsy (CP) are an extreme form of parenting that comprises a lot of atypical tasks. To provide suitable care in a long-standing condition like CP can impede on a mother’s quality of life (QOL). This study sought to explore the perceptions of the QOL of mothers raising a child with CP. Method: Participants in this qualitative descriptive research were mothers of a child aged less than eighteen years and diagnosed with CP. A purposive sampling was opted in recruiting mothers who were enrolled in a university occupational therapy (OT) based programme and another attending a hospital OT based programme in Malta. Data was collected using an in-depth semi structured interview conducted online and lasted for about forty-five minutes to one hour. Data was analysed thematically and completed through structural coding. Results: Participants gave a discussion about their QOL raising a child with CP. Factors mentioned were: long hours spent in activities of daily living, school closures due to Covid19, limited extra-curricular activities geared for children with special needs, ramification of child’s condition on mother’s socialisation, maternal unemployment, lack of public’s understanding of CP, the need to always plan ahead whenever commuting, high expenses, change in routine due to Covid-19, input of extended family and lack of information given by health care professionals (HCPs). All these factors were effecting mother’s QOL. Conclusion: This study indicates that raising a child with CP can deeply impact a mother’s QOL. Participant’s experiences were unique from each other as they shared positive outlook in the upbringing of their child with CP. However, mothers face a lot of challenges on a daily basis stemming from the disability of their child. Therefore, OT should train and encourage safe carrying of activities of daily living, be a link for the creation of support networks, advocate, assist in prioritising social endeavours and educating the public about CP so as to enhance mothers QOL. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87733 2022-01-27T15:30:58Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Exploring daily life of working women with fibromyalgia Abstract: The aim of this study was to thoroughly explore the lived experience of working women with fibromyalgia. Additionally, this study sought to bridge the gap in local literature from an occupational therapy standpoint. A qualitative study design was implemented to obtain an in-depth exploration of the participants’ daily, lived experiences. The Occupational Science concept and the Person Environment-Occupation Model served as this study’s theoretical frameworks. A purposeful sample of six women with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, all clients from Mater Dei Hospital, were recruited by an opt-in method. Interviews were utilised as data collecting tools. Thematic Analysis was used to analyse data and elicit the emerging themes. Six main themes were highlighted from data analysis. These include ‘Fibromyalgia as an invisible illness and a hidden disability’, ‘Reality of fibromyalgia’, ‘Management of fibromyalgia’, ‘Support and the public perception of fibromyalgia’, ‘The impact of fibromyalgia on employment’ and ‘Effectiveness of support strategies’. Findings of this study revealed that working women with fibromyalgia encounter numerous limitations which hinder their occupational performance leading to an occupational imbalance. The findings of this study highlight that some participants mask their invisible condition to live up to social norms. Conversely, others would rather share their lived experiences with fibromyalgia with the aim of fostering more awareness and to promote more studies within the local context. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87731 2022-01-27T15:30:28Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The perceptions of parents and teachers on the participation of students with learning disabilities in an educational dance class Abstract: The importance of participation in leisure activities for children is a vastly researched area of study. It is largely recognised that participation in leisure activities has various benefits on the development and well-being of the child (Aujla & Redding, 2013; Couper, 1981; Dinold & Zitomer, 2015; Murphy et al., 2008; Zitomer & Reid, 2011; Zitomer, 2015; Zitomer, 2016; Zitomer, 2017), however children with learning disabilities are not often involved in the same leisure activities as the typically developing child. This research study aimed to explore the perceptions of parents and dance teachers on the participation of children with learning disabilities in a dance class. A total of 8 participants, 4 parents and their child’s respective dance teachers, were interviewed in the process. Two sets of semi-structured interviews were prepared, one for the parents and the other for the dance teachers. Participant were asked 7 open-ended questions, and interviews lasted around 15 – 30 minutes. Thematic analysis yielded themes from the interviews after repeated review of the data. Results showed that the majority of the participants felt that the children’s participation was a positively influenced by dance education. However, various common barriers encountered by the parents, dance teachers and children were highlighted. This provides the possibility of facilitating change within the local dance schools for increased inclusion and participation of children with learning disabilities wishing to attend dance classes. The conclusions from this study indicate that while parents and dance teachers feel that children with learning disabilities stand to benefit from participating in dance classes, accessibility and inclusion in Malta leave much to be desired. Further research could provide solutions for change on a practical level, especially within the local scene. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87707 2022-01-27T15:29:27Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Living with a person suffering from an anxiety disorder : carers’ experiences of family routines and occupations Abstract: Background: Anxiety Disorders (AD) are very common and there are different sub-types such as Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and phobias. Occupational Therapy intervention and others are mostly directed towards the person suffering from an Anxiety Disorder, rather than to his or her carers, who tend to be overlooked from care delivery and support. Aim: The aim of this study is to gain information about the lived experiences of responsible carers taking care of family members suffering from Anxiety Disorders and their views regarding routines and occupations. Method: A qualitative research design was used. Eight participants were chosen through purposive sampling according to selected inclusion criteria. Participants had to be Gozitan residents, responsible carers of a family member diagnosed with an Anxiety Disorder and who attended community-based mental health Occupational Therapy services and the family member they care for was middle-aged (40 to 55 years old). Once the study was approved by both the FREC and UREC, participants were contacted via an intermediary, who provided them with a letter of information, inviting them to participate and a consent form to sign to confirm their acceptance of participation in the study. Data was collected through a semistructured interview that used open-ended questions about family members’ experiences, carers’ routines and occupations together with carers’ lived experiences. This was held at a place and time convenient for the eligible participants. From the audio-recorded interviews, data was analysed via transcriptions, repeated data from participants was grouped and extracted. Data was analysed through thematic analysis. The grouped data was then formed into categories and sub-categories. Participants were kept anonymous throughout the data analysis procedure. Findings: Even though the lived experience of carers varied from one family member to another the majority of participants complained that they find it hard to make time for themselves, self-care and leisure due to their responsibilities as carers. Their routines were also dependent on those of their family members who were often highly reliant on them. They, therefore, have had to limit engaging in their own personal and social occupations in order to meet the family members’ needs and demands. Conclusion: Most carers felt pressured and stressed due to their responsibility of being a carer for a person, who was diagnosed with an Anxiety Disorder. Reduction in time spent on leisure activities, elements of burnout, impacts on leisure, changes in routines and occupations and even over-protectiveness have been the most salient findings from this study. The study points to the urgent need for carers to be more directly involved in Occupational Therapy intervention and being supported in their role of responsible carers to a family member with an Anxiety Disorder. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z