https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/116878 2026-04-15T08:34:27Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/123483 Title: The lived experiences of Muslim refugee women in Malta : exploring the intersectionality of gender, religion, and refugee status Abstract: For more than two decades, a significant number of asylum seekers and refugees have been arriving on the Maltese islands, primarily departing from the North African coast, escaping persecution and in search of a better life. Among them are Muslim refugee women whose personal narratives of survival and resilience are often unacknowledged. Studies conducted in Malta have looked at the experiences of Muslim women and refugee women separately, and it appears there is still a notable gap in the literature when it comes to exploring the intersectional experiences of Muslim refugee women in Malta. Accordingly, the purpose of this research is to explore and understand the lived experiences of Muslim refugee women in Malta and to investigate how the intersectionality of religion, gender, and refugee status shapes and impacts their overall lived experiences. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the present researcher held individual, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with six Muslim refugee women living in Malta. While highlighting the unique experiences of each Muslim refugee woman, the findings identify several key themes in their narrative, namely, the process of becoming a ‘refugee’ and the implications of such a label; the language barrier; the limited recognition of previous education; obstacles and discrimination on account of religion; gender dynamics; community support; and future aspirations and hope. In light of such findings, the study makes recommendations for community development, service provision, and further research in order to support in a more informed manner and understand better the experiences of Muslim refugee women in Malta. Description: M.A.(Melit.) 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/123482 Title: The changing role of women in blended families and their position within the community Abstract: The rapid change in family structure in Malta within the last two decades has transformed traditional/conventional family life for both adults and children (Abela, 2016). The rise in single parenthood (Abela, Bezzina, Casha, & Azzopardi, 2015), the increase in the number of separations and divorce in the last thirty years, and re-coupling, have given rise to blended families (also known as step-families or re-constituted families). A blended family is one in which at least one parent has children and these are not biologically related to the other partner or spouse. Either parent, or both, may have children from previous relationships or marriages. In addition to this, the parents might have children of their own. Therefore, blended families include families in which one or both parents remarry or cohabit, bringing children from former marriages to form a new family unit, or produce their own. In the West, this family structure has been “becoming the dominant family structure” for the past decades (Walsh, 1992, p. 709). Research on blended families mainly addresses family development, communication strategies, relationships between parents and children, and struggles members of these families face to integrate and blend (Portrie & Hill, 2005). This study was conducted to better understand the experiences of women in blended families in Malta, by putting the spotlight on their changing roles within the family they form part of, and their status within society. Interviews with five women in blended families varying in socioeconomic status and age were conducted. Their experiences were elucidated with insights from service providers working in the field. The researcher adopted the Feminist Standpoint Theory to elicit data, which meant that semi-structured interviews were conducted with two sets of participants. From the thematic analysis of this data, five themes emerged, namely: work-life balance; step relationships; support; society, and boundaries linked to the experiences of step mothers. The data derived from service providers focused on four themes relating to blended families: constitution of successful blended families; advice for them; discrimination; together with law and policies. This research provided a rich description of the experiences of women in blended families and their changing roles in the family unit. The results of this study might help to spur further research into the subject and influence practice and policy advancement, provide evidence-based interventions and family education to support women in blended families to bring about social change. Description: M.A.(Melit.) 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/123481 Title: Beyond the high : exploring and characterising cannabis use patterns and motives of emerging adults Abstract: This dissertation analyses the motivations behind cannabis consumption during the transitional phase of emerging adulthood. It sheds light on the interplay between motivations for recreational and problematic use, as well as non-use and the associated social, political, and cultural factors. The literature draws on factors that influence one’s behaviour and how they are influenced by various risk and protective factors, including genetics, personality variables, social and familial-environmental factors, co-morbid disorders, education, economic and social disadvantages, and trauma. The review explores the concept of "emerging adulthood," which is characterized by a growing responsibility for one's own self and a struggle to break free from family ties, and how these factors link to the use of substances. It also draws parallels to the shifting landscape of contemporary Maltese society, due to influential factors such as economic development, globalisation, and a shift towards neo-liberalism. The study design involved qualitative semi-structured interviews with six professionals. Findings indicated that young people nowadays are better informed and possess a more open mind towards cannabis use due to the presence of a more open dialogue. Nature and nurture both play a significant role in the motivations for use. Environmental factors such as upbringing, exposure and accessibility, social context, and peer influence, along with individual factors such as age, genetic predisposition, and mental health status can all contribute to a person's decision to use cannabis. Self-medication stood as one of the primary reasons why people consume cannabis. However, it was clearly agreed upon by all parties that substance use is largely a symptom of an underlying situation or condition, rather than a standalone activity. Ultimately, the study highlights the importance of self-awareness, prioritising emotional needs and the understanding of root causes of behaviour to address problematic use. Identifying motivations for cannabis use can provide insights for effective prevention and intervention strategies, as well as aid in the development of a more open dialogue, the reduction of biases and misinformation, and the promotion of harm reduction. Description: B.A. (Hons) YCS (Melit.) 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/123462 Title: Young people’s access to sexuality education in Malta, and its impact Abstract: The dissertation investigates young people’s access to sexuality education (SE) in Malta. The study explores young people’s perspectives on SE delivered in secondary school (SS) and through other channels. It focuses on the resources available and their effectiveness, how young people utilise these resources, preferred sources, and any existing barriers that may hinder them from accessing SE. This was done by employing a qualitative approach and collecting data by carrying out semi-structured interviews with six young people aged between 18 and 25 years old, coming from all the three types of schools: state, church, and independent. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed from Maltese to English. The data collected was thematically analysed (Braun & Clarke, 2006; Clarke & Braun, 2017) and draws on different models of SE as the conceptual framework. The findings show that participants felt that the content and material provided in the delivery of SE lessons were very limited. This is why the participants found non-school based SE more useful. Non-school based included the internet, which proved to be the most dominant source among the respondents, social settings, parents, and professionals. On the other hand, despite having these sources available out of school, young people still claimed to be facing different barriers in accessing sexuality- related information, such as stigma and taboo surrounding sexuality within Maltese society, religion, and lack of guidance on reliable sources. The study recommends more adequate training on how to deliver SE, more educators, and more provision of media literacy to young people, as beneficial tools for them. Description: B.A. (Hons) YCS (Melit.) 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z