https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120736 2026-05-05T23:04:31Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121000 Title: Addiction and its impact on family relations : the siblings’ viewpoint Abstract: This study explores the siblings’ experience of residing with a brother or sister suffering from a substance use problem. In-depth interviews were conducted with six siblings recruited through purposeful sampling. The interpretation of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was supported by social constructionist, attachment, and resilience theories. Eight superordinate themes emerged from this analysis, highlighting the experience of these participants. These themes outline the losses and challenges experienced within the household, the impact these had on participants’ emotional and physical well-being, as well as the shifts in family relationships, which contributed to them feeling forgotten. Also reflected in this study was how siblings adopted different roles to support their family members and protect themselves. Participants’ coping skills and resilience were also highlighted. The findings resulted in recommendations for future research. Whereas the study’s strengths and limitations, as well as implications for training and practice, were also put forward. Description: M. FTSP(Melit.) 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120999 Title: Like father, like son? : an intergenerational study of Maltese fathers and sons with substance use problem Abstract: The study explores the father-son relationship when both father and son have a history of substance use. Their experiences on their relationship were viewed from early parenting, to when both father and son were active on illicit substances and finally to the transformative experience when they both abstained from substance use. The individual interviews were conducted with each of the three father-son dyads which were recruited through a purposeful sample. The analysis led to six superordinate themes illustrating the meaning making of the father-son relationship when both of them were active on illicit substances and the transformative relationship when both of them recovered from addiction. The fathers’ own difficulties in their family of origin as well as their own fathering experience when active on illicit substances were explored. This study also provides a systemic understanding of the impact on the father-son relationship by other systems. This led to a discussion around understanding the transgenerational transmission of addictions thought repetitive or corrected behaviour in the family system. Nonetheless, the important shift from an individual-focused perspective to a systems-focused perspective was highlighted. Description: M. FTSP(Melit.) 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120997 Title: The impact of domestic violence on parenting : a case study approach Abstract: This study explores how domestic violence affects parenting by taking a case study approach. Parents, children, a family friend, and professionals who worked with the family were interviewed via semi-structured interviews. These interviews were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. This research takes a critical realist ontology through an interpretivist-constructivist paradigm. The entire research process was interpreted through the following theoretical lenses: Social Learning Theory, Attachment and Attachment Narrative, Mentalizing framework as well Trauma framework. The findings illustrate the continued challenge of parenting on all levels before and after separation. The importance of the mother and her presence despite life’s hardships, was highlighted by the children. Both children and father wished they had a relationship, but they found this difficult. The parents’ parenting behaviours were understood by the children when they became parents themselves. Breaking the repetition of violence echoed throughout the study’s findings both from the parents and children’s ends. The professionals had mixed awareness of the abuse and they saw intergenerational patterns of violence. This study discusses implications for practice, supervision, and policies in systemic psychotherapy and social work practices. It also includes recommendations for future research. Description: M. FTSP(Melit.) 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/120996 Title: Overcoming AUD : the couples’ stories Abstract: This study explored the stories of three couples who overcame Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The stories presented relate to how their life narratives have changed with the presence of AUD and how it affected them individually and as a couple. Individual and joint interviews were held with each couple, and the data collected was analysed using thematic narrative analysis. A systemic conceptual framework was used, including attachment theory and the family resilience framework, while adopting a social constructionist approach. Following analysis, the results talked about the impact AUD had on the couples’ relationships while understanding how they overcame it. A couple of central aspects that helped the couples overcome AUD were the circular patterns of interaction between them and the power of connection within the relationship. Other prominent themes evoked through the couples’ stories include secrecy, resilience, and hope. The study’s conclusion focuses on what practices and interventions need to be carried out by therapists and policymakers to ensure couples impacted by AUD are supported effectively. Description: M. FTSP(Melit.) 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z