https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/338 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:21:00 GMT 2026-09-03T07:21:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148875 Title: Young people in Malta Authors: Cassar, Joanne Abstract: Young people experience their adolescence in myriad ways that do not depend only on their personal traits but also on geo-political and socio-cultural contexts in which they live. For a great number of young people adolescence is marked by significant changes that propel them to make decisions and establish their position in the social world. Young people's transitions to adulthood are increasingly becoming more complex, since these offer them an array of non- linear trajectories which could be difficult to traverse (Cieslik & Pollock, 2002). This is also the case for young people in Malta, who are being affected by globalisation, communication technology and western European culture in general. [excerpt] Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148875 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z 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.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146268 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.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146267 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.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146266 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z