https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/107531 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:12:34 GMT 2026-04-11T01:12:34Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/115441 Title: The role of personality in the separation individuation process among Maltese university students Abstract: Separation-Individuation is the process of establishing autonomy and a unique sense of self while maintaining relatedness to parents/caregivers (Youniss & Smollar, 1985). The process starts during toddlerhood (Mahler 1963) and continues even in the emerging adulthood period (Buhl 2008). However, research specific to separation-individuation in Maltese emerging adulthood might possibly be non-existent. Thus, the aim of this study was to get an understanding of this process within the Maltese context, and to determine the role of personality traits in predicting successful separation-individuation. A quantitative approach was taken. An online questionnaire was sent out to University of Malta students, thus a convenience sample was used, with all responses received being valid (N=101, aged 18 to 30; 70% female). Data was analysed by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings indicate that Neuroticism was positively related to fear of disappointing the parents and negatively related to self-reliance. Openness was associated with greater connectedness to parents and finally conscientiousness was positively related with seeking support from parents. In terms of gender differences and contrary to existing literature, the findings evidence that females did not exhibit higher levels of connectedness than males, while in accordance with literature, males exhibited greater scores of self-reliance when compared to their female counterparts. Lastly, participants living in the same household as their parents tended to report a greater fear of disappointing and a greater feeling of intrusiveness by the parents when compared to those not doing so. All findings are explained in detail in the results and discussion chapters. Description: B.Psy.(Hons)(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/115441 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/114656 Title: Exploring the coping mechanisms adopted by university students to deal with symptoms of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic Abstract: University students’ mental health has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (Vigo et al., 2021). The aim of this study was to explore the coping mechanisms adopted by university students against symptoms of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 91 university students took part in this study. Their responses were collected through snowball sampling by distributing the questionnaire on social media. Respondents consisted of 68 females, 20 males, and 3 who were marked as ‘other’. The age range of participants was 18 to 55. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (Hamilton, 1959; HAM-A) and the Brief COPE Inventory (Carver, 1997) were used to assess the severity of symptoms of anxiety and the coping strategies utilised by university students. Data analysis was conducted through SPSS, using descriptive tests, and parametric and non-parametric tests. The findings revealed that university students exhibited moderate levels of anxiety (M= 17.95, SD= 8.92), and engaged moderately in problem-focused (M= 19.75, SD= 5.59) and emotion-focused (M= 28.98, SD= 5.52) coping strategies, with less utilisation of avoidant coping strategies (M= 15.96, SD= 4.2). The course of participants was found to be associated to anxiety scores, but not to age. There was no association found between coping scores and the course of participants, however avoidant coping scores seemed to be utilised somewhat more frequently in undergraduate students. There was also no association found between coping scores and age, with the exception of avoidant coping scores. Avoidant coping strategies were also found to predict the severity of anxiety. This study shed light on the necessity for further research on university students’ anxiety and their coping mechanisms. It also supported the idea that university students’ mental health, may have been affected by the pandemic as also reflected in the existing literature. Description: B.Psy.(Hons)(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/114656 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/114650 Title: Transitioning to the parenting stage as a couple : a narrative inquiry Abstract: This study elicited the stories of a married couple living in Malta during their transition to parenthood. A case study narrative approach making use of in-depth semi-structured interviews was employed. One couple was interviewed, first individually with both parties, and then jointly. An interpretive story was constructed based on the data collected from the interviews, making sure to give voices to both parents and couple. The text was then given to the participants for review and feedback, which was implemented into the final version. The basic findings follow literature that predates the present study. This research confirms the “honeymoon effect” taking place during early pregnancy; shows how integral the experiences of sacrifice and letting go are to being a parent; and shows the effect of an unplanned caesarean section on couples. Additionally, the impact of children on relationships was discussed, particularly the couple’s sex life and self-concept differences before and after having a child. Lastly, the sources of support that aid in the adjustment process was also prevalent. These findings were discussed in relation to previous literature done on the topic. Recommendations for future research and implications for practise and service development in a local context were also suggested. Description: H.Dip.(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/114650 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/114648 Title: Outlooks on ex-prisoners amongst the general public : views on reintegration in Malta Abstract: The reintegration of prisoners refers to the process whereby persons who are no longer confined to the parameters of a correctional institution attempt to reintegrate back into society. Reintegration may therefore be defined as the process of transitioning from incarceration into society, adjusting to life outside of prison, and attempting to maintain a crime-free lifestyle (Laub and Sampson, 2001). This dissertation studied the views of the general public towards the reintegration process and what, in their opinion, are the biggest factors that contribute to the formation of such views, and ultimately, the successful reintegration of a prisoner back into society. A total of eight participants took part in this study, consisting of an equal number of males and females between the ages of twenty-three and fifty-five. This dissertation employed a qualitative methodology whereby data was collected using one-to-one interviews to answer the research questions concerned. The research questions were: (a) to understand what people’s views on reintegration are and how these are formed, (b) to understand how and whether the media and word of mouth affect the opinion of people, and (c) to understand what can be done to facilitate the reintegration process for prisoners. The data gathered was analysed through the use of thematic analysis which involved coding and understanding the themes that were prevalent in the data collected. Description: H.Dip.(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/114648 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z