https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4248 2026-06-02T17:04:39Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146268 Title: The mediating role of sense of community between supportive social systems and life outcomes of youth from Bormla Abstract: This research study aimed to explore the retrospective accounts of participants who grew up in Bormla, seeking to understand their perceptions of the impact their upbringing in Bormla had on their life outcomes. It also set out to investigate the sense of community (SOC) youth developed within their community and examine whether this SOC acted as a mediator between youth themselves and different stakeholders and key-players within their community. Further inquiry followed in the pursuit to uncover and understand the role held by different community stakeholders, while observing their relevance for youth, particularly with regard to life outcomes. The study engaged participants aged between 22 and 28 years of age who grew up in Bormla, using both purposeful and snowball sampling. It adopted a qualitative approach, engaging the biographic narrative interpretive method (BNIM) to elicit the retrospective reflections and narratives of participants. This involved three sub-sessions, the initial instigated through a single question aimed at inducing narrative (SQUIN), guiding the subsequent sub sessions. A thematic analysis of the narratives was carried out. The emergent themes revealed that participants did not experience a strong SOC, despite identifying as Bormliżi. Their experience was affected by several salient issues, including the impact of family and the family context, as well as having to navigate assigned identities and stereotypes throughout their own journey of development. The narratives unveiled that their experience of SOC impacted their relationships with other stakeholders and key-players within their community, consequently affecting their engagement and uptake of available resources. Recommendations emanating from the study give strength to the application of asset-based approaches in community development, across the board. Furthermore, findings shed light on the importance for policymakers to draw on, and invest in resources already available within communities, while addressing issues of mistrust in formal structures and services. Findings also recommend the strengthening of networks of communication across strata within the community, to empower and engage members as pro-active participants. Finally, the study highlights the need for further research on the impact of rapid local and international developments on community life, as well as the need to understand current trends in youth engagement within communities around Malta. Description: M.A.(Melit.) 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146267 Title: Exploring the spatial experiences and identity negotiations of queer youths in Malta Abstract: This study explores the lived experiences of queer youth in Malta as they navigate public, private, and digital spaces. While Malta is internationally recognised for progressive legal reforms supporting LGBTQIA+ rights, a gap remains between formal equality and everyday realities. The research examines how spatial dynamics influence belonging, identity development, inclusion, and safety, and how queer youth negotiate these processes within cultural, religious, and generational contexts. Adopting an interpretivist paradigm and drawing on queer and spatial theory, the study employs a qualitative methodology based on interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Eleven participants aged 18 to 30 were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling and engaged in semi-structured, face-to face interviews. Findings highlight the dissonance between legal protection and social acceptance, showing how queer youth continually negotiate visibility, belonging, and identity within the spaces they inhabit. While queer venues, university settings, and online communities offered affirmation, participants’ accounts revealed that these, too, were not immune to exclusion, surveillance, and hostility. These findings underscore the complexity of belonging and the ongoing work of cultivating environments where identities can be expressed without compromise. Description: M. YCS.(Melit.) 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146266 Title: Exploring the well-being and job satisfaction among professionals working with young asylum seekers in Malta Abstract: Driven by a compelling motivation to understand the lived experiences of practitioners in this field, the research employed a qualitative approach, conducting 10 in-depth interviews. The wealth of data gathered was analysed using thematic analysis, allowing for the identification of key patterns and insights. The findings, previewed in the research, indicate A significant number of practitioners reported being employed in roles that they will never be allowed to do due to the politics around migration, creating a sense of frustration and underutilisation. Furthermore, the research illuminated the pervasive issues of burnout and a paradoxical sense of both hope and despair within the field, which influences the service provided to young migrants. Many participants described experiencing periods of compassion fatigue, where the emotional demands of the role left them feeling drained and disconnected. One participant reflected on the emotional contradiction at the heart of the work: “We are there to tell them, ‘Listen, we will help with your trauma,’ but in reality, we have trauma.” (Lou) The dissertation concludes with a series of recommendations to help address these challenges and support both practitioners' well-being and the quality-of-service delivery. Description: M. YCS.(Melit.) 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146264 Title: Redefining fatherhood : perceptions of young fathers who have sole and joint custody Abstract: This study examines the roles, experiences, and practices of young fathers aged 18 to 35 in Malta who have sole or joint custody of their children, while also investigating the resources and support systems available to them and the challenges they encounter on their fatherhood journey. Purposive sampling was used to recruit information-rich participants, resulting in four fathers who provided informed consent and participated in in-depth interviews. This study employs a qualitative approach, using single-session interviews as the primary data collection method, with data subsequently analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. The study’s key findings illuminate how these fathers navigate and reconstruct traditional notions of fatherhood within the local context. Drawing on participants’ narratives and reflexive thematic analysis, four overarching themes were identified: support and nurture within the community, evolution of legal systems, holistic personal development, and resilience through sustainability. The discussion explores the conditions and variations of single fatherhood through intersectionality theory, considering the multiple identities they hold. It also examines divergent pathways to parenthood, the differences between raising one child versus multiple children, gender role expectations, the stigma faced by LGBTQ+ fathers, and potential gender biases within the current legal system. Furthermore, this study offers insight into the lived experiences of young single fathers, highlighting the challenges they face, the limited support they are offered and the resilience they demonstrate. It underscores the importance of familial and communal assistance as essential resources for managing caregiving duties and addressing the intricacies of solo fatherhood. Description: B.A. (Hons) YCS (Melit.) 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z