https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/123270 2026-05-05T12:39:32Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/140697 Title: Social relationships of individuals with Dyslexia in Malta Abstract: This study investigates social relationships of individuals with Dyslexia. Four adults with dyslexia aged between 18 to 25 participated in this study. A qualitative research method was implemented, and data was collected using semi-structured interviews. Data from interviews was transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Five major themes were elicited from data analysis: The Diagnosis, Challenges that come with Dyslexia, Dealing with discrimination, Are there social consequences? and The Support System makes a difference. The main findings of study suggested that individuals with dyslexia do not suffer from significant impairments in their social skills and social experiences. Nonetheless, they face a multitude of challenges that transcend the academic context and reflect into their personal lives, challenges such as anxiety and intense stress. Furthermore, individuals with dyslexia have to deal with discrimination, which is a result of poor understanding and awareness surrounding their learning disability. Finally, findings state that a stable and present support system is essential for individuals with dyslexia to achieve better results academically and have more positive emotional experiences and self-esteem. Description: B.Psy.(Hons)(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136325 Title: Exploring how professionals in Malta conceptualise hypersexual behaviour Abstract: According to Bőthe et al. (2018), hypersexual behaviour refers to “excessive and uncontrollable sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviours accompanied by significant personal distress and adverse consequences”. Hypersexual behaviour can include an excess of masturbation, pornography use, sexual behaviour with consenting adults, cybersex or telephone sex use, and strip club visits (Kaplan & Krueger, 2010). The aim of this research was to explore how professionals working within the therapeutic field conceptualise hypersexual behaviour by sharing their views and the approaches they use in their work. Eight participants were recruited and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data obtained from the interviews, and themes and sub-themes emerged. Findings showed that engaging in hypersexual behaviour can have significant impacts and that several factors may contribute to this engagement. It was also found that certain aspects may influence the way individuals view hypersexual behaviour. Findings concluded that professionals’ perceptions on this subject vary, particularly with regard to their thoughts on diagnosis, their views on sex addiction, and the therapeutic interventions they use. Having a lack of consensus on diagnostic criteria has its implications. Future research on hypersexual behaviour might help professionals to better differentiate between healthy and problematic sexual behaviour. This might aid in providing better interventions and treatment for those who struggle with their sexual behaviour, while ensuring that high levels of sexual drives and common behaviours are not pathologised. Research on this phenomenon within the local context might reduce the stigma surrounding problematic sexual behaviours and help individuals to seek help if needed. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132788 Title: Navigating desistance from heroin careers : an evolved grounded theory study Abstract: Using an evolved grounded theory approach, this research explores the navigation of desistance from heroin careers characterised by problematic heroin use in the Maltese context. Evidence suggests that many individuals affected by such use manage to attain desistance at some point in their heroin career. This research attempts to develop an explanatory framework for the process of change from high-risk drug use to desistance by examining the main motivators that draw people towards desistance, the process of desistance, and strategies utilised to sustain continued long-term desistance within the Maltese context. The research adopts an evolved grounded theory methodology rooted in the interpretation of narrative data from interviews. Twenty-two participants, fourteen identifying as male and eight as female, who had desisted from using heroin for a minimum of five years, sat for a semi-structured interview. The theory conceptualises how a series of losses suffered following commitment to the heroin career fosters ambivalence towards the lifestyle and culminates in reckoning moments that nudge participants to change. Hope that desistance is an attainable goal emerges as instrumental in the eventual action taken to desist. Though pathways to desistance varied across participants, the theory identifies strategies adopted in the navigation of the journey towards desistance and identifies identity change as a key explanatory contingency in initiating, working towards, and maintaining desistance. Belonging to the community through the adoption of role such as parent or employee secures commitment to desistance and fosters the solidification of a conventional identity. The substantive theory illustrates that valuable insights can be acquired by examining the experiences of heroin users and makes a number of recommendations for policy, practice, and further research. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132131 Title: Frozen, tangled, brave : not a Disney phenomenon : childhood experiences of adult children who had a parent with a drug addiction Abstract: Consequences of addiction are experienced not only by the person with a drug addiction, but also by other people in their family. When a parent has a drug addiction, it can significantly impair the growth and development of children. However, research has also indicated that children may find ways to cope through these adversities and develop resilience. Although there is abundant research on childhood experiences of living with a parent who has a drug addiction, this phenomenon has not been explored in the Maldivian context. Thus, the purpose of this retrospective qualitative research is to explore the childhood experiences of adult children who had a parent with a drug addiction, who are currently living in Male’, Maldives. Four participants were recruited through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four themes emerged from the analysis (1) Icing Conditions – I experienced things that no child should experience (2) Tangled in the turbulence – This became my normality (3) Mayday! Mayday! – the unexpected turns brought by the turbulence and (4) Turning for Plan B: B is for BRAVE. These results have practical implications especially to recognize the adverse experiences children faces due to parental drug addiction and the necessity to provide them with support through policy and practice intervention Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z