https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/11624 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:58:40 GMT 2026-04-30T18:58:40Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145989 Title: The experience of mothers of queer youth Abstract: This research paper explores the journey and experiences that mothers go through once youths identify themselves as gay individuals. In addition, it seeks to explore the dynamics a family undergoes during this process. To investigate this phenomenon, a qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews. Six mothers volunteered to take part in the study. They were mothers of six young people of different age groups who define themselves as queer hence part of the LGBTIQ+ spectrum. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews. Once the data was collected, it was analysed using thematic analysis as outlined by Braun and Clarke (2013). Three main themes were elicited: pre-coming out experiences, experiences during coming out, and post-coming out experiences. The information collected from this study was compared to the studies in the literature review. Description: B.Psy.(Hons)(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145989 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145988 Title: An exploration of the impact of living with systemic lupus erythematosus on the family members Abstract: This study’s aim was to examine the holistic implications and biopsychosocial impact of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) on the sufferer as well as their families. Interviews were held with six participants who were family members of sufferers and who were chosen through purposive sampling. The interviews were analysed through Reflective Thematic Analysis. Findings stated that being diagnosed with SLE is a challenging journey and diagnosis can bring about various reactions from sufferers and family members. SLE can result in various harmful physical effects such as rashes, fatigue and chronic pain, often leaving family members helpless to relieve these symptoms for their loved ones. Results showed that SLE can create anxiety, stress and worry on the family unit and can contribute to a decrease in social life and an increase in social exclusion for the whole family. Refraining from outdoor activities to maintain symptoms was the most common adjustment. Participants experienced an increase in dependency which resulted in an emotional impact. Nonetheless, family support turned out to be multifaceted; ranging from physical to emotional. Society still, however, carries with it various misunderstandings regarding SLE manifestations which affect both the sufferers and their families. Sufferers remain resilient and strong in adversity which must have been encouraging for families as well. Families eventually learnt to cope but it was evident that a hyper-focus was placed on the sufferer and personal needs and self-care of the family were often neglected, potentially leading to burnout and extreme stress. These findings can influence future research where focus is directed towards more families of SLE sufferers so as to create more awareness. From the results, it can therefore be concluded that family units of individuals suffering with SLE are affected in various aspects of life due to this condition. Description: B.Psy.(Hons)(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145988 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145987 Title: The different psychological effects of sport competition on individual sport athletes vs team sport athletes Abstract: Sport competition exerts profound psychological impacts on athletes, yet the nature and intensity of these effects can vary between those competing in individual sports and those competing in team sports. This study aims to identify and explore these differences through a holistic view of participants’ experiences of competitions. Athletes’ experience a range of physical and psychological challenges during competitions which depend on several factors, namely, their personal characteristics and the external environment. Using a qualitative approach and purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews were conducted with athletes to gain insight into their emotional experiences, coping strategies, sources of motivation, and perceived stress during competition. In this study, an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) of the findings was conducted to capture full understanding of the participants lived experiences. The results of this study yielded three main themes: ‘The Inner Landscape of the Athlete’; ‘Navigating the Competitive Environment’; and ‘The Embodied Experience of Performance’. Even though the analysis revealed recurring patterns, such as the sole responsibility felt in individual sports versus the shared accountability felt in team sports, other emergent themes suggested that the differences between the two groups are not as clear-cut as commonly believed. These findings highlight the nuanced ways competitive environments shape athletes’ psychological experiences and highlight the importance of context-sensitive support strategies in sports psychology practice. Description: B.Psy.(Hons)(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145987 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145986 Title: Sex and the clergy : an insider perspective on celibacy and loneliness in the priesthood Abstract: In order to become a priest or religious, one has to take various decisions that could affect their life trajectory. These decisions invariably have an impact on one’s life, self-concept, and mental health. Celibacy in the Catholic priesthood, whether voluntary or involuntary, has been a point of contention for decades. Research on the intersection of celibacy and loneliness is lacking, especially in the Maltese context. Hence, this study aimed to explore whether celibacy contributes to loneliness in priests, and what other factors might be contributing to loneliness in this subset of the Maltese population, through the lens of Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory. Through a mixed methods approach, this question was explored in two concurrent phases. The quantitative phase involved a survey (n = 149) measuring attitudes towards celibacy, masculine norms, and feelings of loneliness. The qualitative phase involved interviews with eight priests from different orders exploring their experiences of celibacy. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to extract themes from this data. Qualitative and quantitative results were triangulated and the result of this process indicated that celibacy is contributing to loneliness in priests, however there are other factors that could give rise to their poor wellbeing. These may include several factors such as the lack of close networks, the stereotypes that priests face, and the length of time spent in the priesthood. Moreover, priests describe loneliness in complicated ways that are independent of their celibacy practices. Through interviews the difference between well-integrated and poorly integrated celibacy also emerged, and the subsequent effects that each can have on a priest’s life. The desire to marry emerged from the narratives of some priests, but not all. The findings present several implications for practice, emphasising the need for structural reforms, more open conversations, and a stronger emphasis on mental health at every stage of formation in order to decrease loneliness in priests and religious. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145986 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z