https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/125283 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:28:35 GMT 2026-04-15T23:28:35Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126606 Title: Students’ mental health issues : listening to secondary school counsellors and guidance teachers Abstract: Research on youth mental health and my experience as a Maltese state school guidance teacher fuelled my research focus. The scope was to explore guidance teachers’ and counsellors’ experience in Maltese secondary state schools, understand the types of mental health issues students encounter and their potential causes, and identify how they are currently being addressed. The research used a qualitative approach, using audio-recorded semi-structured interviews with four counsellors and four guidance teachers with at least three years of experience working in secondary state school, recruited through social media. These participants highlight a concerning rise in complex mental health issues among teenagers, including anxiety, eating disorders, and sexual orientation. They are struggling to keep pace with the growing need for support and more personnel, overwhelmed with caseloads and have long waiting lists. Family issues like stress and troubled relationships further contribute to teenagers' difficulties. Other vital factors that pressure students include modern challenges like social media, exposure to harmful online content, and frequent relocations. Social media and video games, while offering connection, also present risks like cyberbullying and addiction. Despite these hurdles, teenagers are showing remarkable resilience. Student diversity and cultural stigmas around mental health add to the challenges schools face. The participants remain hopeful that their interventions, even simple encouragement to seek help, can have a significant impact. The study recommends increased training and resources for school staff and mental health professionals, along with improved communication and collaboration. This research compels us to act now before untreated mental health issues threaten to dim a generation's potential. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126606 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/125604 Title: The lived experiences of siblings of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia Abstract: Background: Schizophrenia is a severe, progressive and chronic mental illness where symptoms result in profound impairments that affect the reality and the perception of the individual. The consequences and challenges that revolve around schizophrenia also have immense influences on the extant family, and preceding studies characteristically focused on first-degree relatives, that are typically parents. Regrettably, there is a dearth of literature that focuses on the impact that schizophrenia has on healthy siblings. Aim: To explore how the phenomenon of schizophrenia was perceived and experienced by the healthy sibling. Moreover, this study hopes to unearth an insight on the impact related to the quality of life of the healthy sibling. Design: A qualitative approach following the philosophies of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Methods: Recruitment of participants consisted of a purposive sample. Data collection was carried out through face-to-face semi-structured interviews that lasted approximately 40-50 minutes. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis of data followed the principles of IPA. Results: Three group experiential themes emerged from the analysis of data; ‘The Challenges of Meaning Making’, ‘A Natural Impulse of Responsibility’ and ‘The Constant Battle Towards Acceptance’. Conclusions: The conclusions of this study established that an evolvement in the sibling-caring relationship was a prominent factor. The conclusions also unearthed profound difficulties associated with meaning making and general understanding of the illness and diagnosis. Consequently, profound feelings related to uncertainty, denial and perceived stigma were also established. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/125604 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/125550 Title: Psychotherapeutic interventions by nurses in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders Abstract: Individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder exhibit symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, anhedonia, and avolition. The disorder presents additional challenges, including lack of insight, and nonadherence, leading to a slower recovery process. Establishing a robust therapeutic alliance may mitigate these symptoms and barriers, thereby reducing the risk of relapse and hospitalisation. Psychotherapeutic interventions administered by nurses have the potential to enhance the strength of the therapeutic alliance. The research question posed is: Do psychotherapeutic interventions by nurses improve the outcomes of adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder? The PICO elements are as follows: the population compromises adults diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, the intervention involves psychotherapeutic interventions, the comparison is treatment as per usual, and the outcome measures include improved functionality and quality of care. Inclusion criteria encompass peer-reviewed articles focusing on adults diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, published within the last decade, in English and without geographical restrictions. Exclusion criteria involve non-English studies, publications older than ten years, studies exclusively based in community settings and those addressing comorbid disorders. Following the retrieval of relevant research, CEBM tools were employed to evaluate and critique randomised controlled trials, integrative reviews, and meta-analyses identified in this dissertation. The results indicate that nurses can implement psychotherapeutic interventions, which may lead to improved outcomes for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. However, further research in this area, particularly conducted by nurses and within local contexts, is warranted. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/125550 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/125486 Title: The most effective interventions and treatments for drug-induced psychosis in adolescence Abstract: Adolescence is a critical developmental period marked by rapid physical, emotional, and cognitive changes, making adolescents more susceptible to substance abuse. The use of evidence-based interventions in managing substance induced psychosis requires a comprehensive and multi-prolonged approach. This study aims to uncover not only the interventions that produce the best results for teenagers with drug-induced psychosis but also the processes by which these interventions might be adjusted better to match the stage of development of this age group. The clinical review question guiding this study is: What are the most effective interventions and treatments for drug-induced psychosis in adolescence?” The PEO elements consist of: Adolescents with drug induced psychosis as the population, different treatments/interventions as the exposure and the outcome being the effectiveness of interventions. The inclusion criteria included the studies published in English, peer-reviewed and published within the last ten years. On the other hand, the exclusion criteria included publication in language other than English, not peer reviewed and published more than ten years ago. The search found one randomized clinical trial study, four involved systematic reviews, and another was case-study. These were assessed and critiqued using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The results showed that drugs such as marijuana and amphetamines poses a significant threat to adolescents. The treatment and intervention outcomes depends on many factors. Further research is required hence the recommendations for education and local practice and research, management to look out for, such as implementing Motivational Enhancement Therapy. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/125486 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z