https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/117289 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:26:26 GMT 2026-06-10T19:26:26Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119002 Title: The attitudes, knowledge and practices of occupational therapists addressing sexuality related issues in an adult physical setting Abstract: Introduction: Sexuality is considered to be one of the activities of daily living. Engaging in this occupation can contribute to an individual’s health and well-being. Occupational therapists, together with other health care professionals, acknowledge the importance of sexuality, however this area is not routinely addressed in their practice. The aim of this study was to address a research gap about the current attitudes, knowledge and practices of occupational therapists in physical practice settings in Malta. Methods: This study used a quantitative approach to collect data. A cross-sectional survey design was selected. For this purpose, an online self-administered anonymous questionnaire was devised by the researcher and sent to the total population of occupational therapists working in different physical settings in Malta, via an intermediary selected by the Office of Prime Minister. A total of 76 occupational therapists practising in an Acute care, Rehabilitation, Long Term care, Oncology, and Residential and Community Care settings for at least 2 months prior to the study were invited to participate in order to gather data about their attitudes, knowledge and practices on sexuality-related issues. Findings: 32 occupational therapists participated in the research study, out of a total of 76 occupational therapists that at the time of study, worked in a physical setting. The response rate varied between physical settings. Occupational therapists agreed that sexuality is an important activity of daily living, and that they, alongside other healthcare professionals should address it in their practice. Sexuality is not routinely addressed during assessment and intervention. They also believe that sexuality should be discussed when the client mentions experiencing sexuality-related issues or when the therapists deem it is relevant. Knowledge levels about sexuality related areas vary, with the occupational therapists most often reporting being ‘slightly knowledgeable’ on the different aspects of sexuality. Discussion: Occupational therapists acknowledge the importance of sexuality and their contribution in addressing it in their practice even though it is not routinely addressed. There are varying levels of comfort in addressing sexuality with different client genders and background. Occupational therapists expressed a strong desire to receive further training on the area of sexuality, especially since this is not addressed in sufficient depth in undergraduate curriculum. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119002 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119001 Title: Characterizing the population of the service users and the services at a community respite facility Abstract: Introduction. Respite service is identified as a community service where the service users are provided with day care facilities and temporary overnight stays which allows their caregivers to have a short break from their caring responsibilities. The respite service can be used by any person with a medical condition as well as mental or physical limitations, and can serve to enhance the clients and caregivers' quality of life. Knowledge about respite care services may be limited in the general public. Purpose. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of the population of service users and the services available at a community respite facility, to increase awareness and provide detailed information about this service. Method. A mixed method design was adopted for this study. Two methods were used to collect the data interviews with four specialised staff and a checklist that captured quantitative demographic data on 265 clients using respite care. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse data extracted from the checklist. Thematic analysis that followed the Braun and Clarke (2006) method was utilised to analyse data obtained from the interviews. Results: The findings showed that the majority of clients who were using the service were minors between the ages of 5 and 17, and required a high level of support. The common diagnoses among the users were autism, intellectual disability, and spectrum disorders. Most users had 30 credits allocated every six months to use the service, with extra credits being offered for unplanned situations. The primary reason for using the service was for the carers to take a short break from the caring role. Other services provided to the service users included medical, educational, and social provisions. Training and hiring more staff were the main suggestions mentioned to improve the service. Conclusion. This study attempted to provide a detailed snapshot of one respite service and its population of users in Malta. However, there is much scope to undertake more research using the same method in several respite centres in Malta and increase awareness about this sector. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/119001 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118997 Title: Parents and their intellectually disabled adults’ perspectives on the barriers and facilitators impacting their social participation Abstract: Background: Social participation is an important occupation that all people, including those with intellectual disabilities, find meaningful and purposeful. Social participation improves one's self-worth, belief in others, happiness, mental health, and capacity to contribute positively. Social participation is also a strategy for social justice and change that makes it easier to consider the demands of those involved in a particular circumstance and promotes social inclusion. Aims: The study aimed to investigate the personal views of intellectually disabled adults and their parents about the barriers and facilitators impacting the former’s social participation. It also aims to explore the implications of the findings for occupational therapy practice. Method: A qualitative approach utilizing semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions was adopted. Following FREC approval purposeful sampling procedure was used to select four participants with intellectual disability and their parents. The participants with intellectual disability were selected from mental health rehabilitation centres. Participants with intellectual disabilities had to be English-speaking, over 18 years of age and had no difficulties with communication. Either one or both parents of these selected adults with intellectual disability were selected by the intermediary and were also eligible to participate and had to be English-speaking. Both sets of participants were interviewed separately. Findings: After thematic analysis of the data obtained, six emergent themes were identified as essential areas of social participation according to both sets of participants. Several barriers and facilitators impacted these areas related to social participation. These essential areas included connection with family members, connection with friends, participation in social activities, participation in employment, education, access, and engagement with technology. Conclusion: This study draws attention to the lack of local literature that examines the barriers and facilitators from the perspectives of parents and adults with intellectual disabilities. Although the study's significant findings were comparable to those of other international research, specific, less common findings were also noted. These include the over-protectiveness of parents, the use of technological devices that eliminated the need for these adults with intellectual disabilities to participate socially, and the lack of knowledge of the parents and the adults with intellectual disabilities regarding the local services that can support this client group. The recommendations encouraged social participation and established a welcoming environment for adults with intellectual disabilities. They also included suggestions for future study, legislation, and practice. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118997 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118996 Title: Exploring pet ownership as a meaningful occupation among individuals with mental health conditions living within the community Abstract: Background. Occupational therapists believe that engagement in occupations empowers individuals with their health, self-esteem, and well-being. Pet ownership is one of the many possible occupations one may choose to engage in. As documented in literature throughout the world and over decades, owning a pet has a wide range of benefits that span from physiological to psychological. Aim. After identifying the gap within the existing literature, this study aimed to understand the experience of Maltese adults suffering from mental illness while living in the community and explore how pet ownership is a meaningful relationship to them. Method. The study was conducted through a qualitative design, with the use of semi-structured interviews, to gain in-depth information on the participant's experiences and perspectives about pet ownership. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling according to inclusion criteria through an intermediatory. Eight semi-structured interviews were carried out with three male and five female participants. Results. After thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected, two principal themes were identified. These were ‘Personal Gains’ and ‘Outcomes’. In addition, further sub-themes were identified for each major theme. These were ‘Unconditional Love’, ‘Emotional Support’, and ‘Humanisation of Pets’ for the first theme. The second theme sub-themes were ‘Habits and Routine’, ‘Motivation’, and ‘Negatives’. Implications. Some of the main findings were similar to those from other international studies, such as pets offering companionship, and the humanisation of pets is a common trait among pet owners worldwide. Recommendations for future research were also provided to promote pet ownership as a meaningful occupation among individuals suffering from mental illness. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118996 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z