https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/9245 2026-04-11T12:38:58Z 2026-04-11T12:38:58Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10570 2017-09-26T08:17:46Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Milestones in the trajectory of female problematic drug users Abstract: The primary aim of this study is to investigate the milestones that contribute towards initiation, maintenance or desistance of problematic drug use in girls and women. This study also seeks to explore the subjective meaning that FPDUs give to this life experience. The interplay of a multitude of factors may contribute to the initiation, maintenance or desistance of problematic drug use can occur at any stage of a girl or woman’s life. Research participants were recruited through purposive sampling method. All participants were at the time of interview undergoing residential rehabilitation. Findings from this study indicate that experiencing or being exposed to trauma and/or violent situations together with mental health problems were the main contributors to initiation and maintenance of problematic drug use. Other significantly important factors to both initiation and maintenance of problematic drug use for women were the influence of their family of origin and relationship with their partners. Motherhood and the realization that all areas of their life are being negatively affected by the problematic use of drugs transpired to be the main motivators to exit their trajectory and seek desistance. Being of service to others and helping others through the life knowledge their acquired from their experience seems to give women who desisted from problematic drug use meaning in life. Findings from this study also highlight the importance of gender segregated treatment as women claim that this gives them safety and empowers them to talk about their past and personal issues. Lastly women claim that when counsellors truly understand their lived experience as problematic drug users they feel freer to talk about their issues and feel less judged and more supported. Description: M.COUNSELLING

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10528 2017-07-24T11:01:28Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Coping styles and attitudes toward counselling among University students Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the students` coping styles and attitudes toward counselling. 10,370 university students at the University of Malta were contacted. 585 students participated in this study. Data was collected by means of an online structured questionnaire that was distributed to all students at the University of Malta. This was done using SPSS Version 22. Since the current study seeked to investigate group differences, associations/relationships between variables, and to predict changes in variables, a quantitative research strategy was deemed suitable to meet the aims and objectives set out by the study. A descriptive design was adopted. Chi-Square testing and the ANOVA tests were conducted to test hypotheses and make inferences. For both tests a 0.05 level of significance was used. Four predictors were found to be positive attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. These were use of instrumental support, behavioural disengagement, gender and self-distraction. Description: M.A.TRANSCULTURAL COUNSELLING

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10526 2017-07-24T10:14:30Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Confidentiality dilemmas for counsellors in schools Abstract: This study aimed to explore how counsellors working in schools deal with their day to day confidentiality dilemmas, and how they process them in order to take an ethical decision in the best interest of the school aged student. One focus group with seven participants who were counsellors, educational psychologists and professionals in ethics and five individual semi-structured interviews with counsellors working in schools have been conducted. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Three superordinate themes emerged, namely: ethical and legal factors in therapeutic counselling with school aged children, challenges to confidentiality and ethical decision making aspects for tackling confidentiality dilemmas in schools. Findings suggest that the client’s best interest and autonomy have to be central in the decision making process. The evidence suggests that all decisions depend on the professional judgement of the counsellor who is challenged with a confidentiality dilemma. Regardless of the severity and sensitivity of the confidentiality dilemma, counsellors are the ones who have to weigh out all the competing factors in order to take an ethical decision. Skills such as negotiating with the client and timing the intervention have also emerged. Another finding that emerged was the significant impact social visibility here in Malta has on the counsellor who has to strike a balance between all the factors that come into play when taking a decision. Recommendations for future research and implications for counselling have been discussed. Description: M.COUNSELLING

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10521 2017-10-05T08:08:34Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Seeing an invisible child : using different therapeutic modalities in counselling children with autism Abstract: This study explores counselling in relation to children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This research was conducted using a qualitative research methodology. Prior commencing the research, a pre-research study was conducted. This was intended to generate information on the local scenario. The information was collected from three interviews with professionals who are knowlegable in the field of ASD. The feedback from the interviews sewed to draft the semistructured interview for the research study. For the semistructured interview seven participants were recruited in order to gain insight into which therapeutic modalities can be adopted and how this client population can benefit from counselling. Data from the semistructured interview was analysed using thematic analysis and themes and sub-themes identified. The superordinate themes derived from the findings from the semistructured interviews were: (a) Pre-requisites for counselling children with ASD and, (b) Maximising effectiveness in counselling children with ASD. It was concluded that counselling can be an extra support for this client population especially if the practitioner adopts the person centred approach and incorporates tools such as nonverbal approaches and play therapeutic techniques among others. These should be used according to the needs of the client. Findings suggest that counselling can also be beneficial to the families as they may need to be emotionally supported through their journey with their child with autism. Description: M.COUNSELLING

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z