https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4445 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:39:29 GMT 2026-04-13T08:39:29Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22942 Title: From stigma to resiliency : the experience of lesbian/gay youth Abstract: The transition to young adulthood is a fascinating and extremely individualistic process that is unique to each and every individual. Some young people may face additional obstacles and milestones that they might need to overcome in order to successfully negotiate their identity development process. The focus is on how young emerging adults negotiate a stigmatised identity, and what strengths they have developed in this process. Their narratives have been shared for the purpose of this research, in order to illustrate the in depth experience of their trajectories. With the Single Question Aimed at inducing Narrative (S.Q.U.I.N) method (Thomas Wengraf, 2001), the trajectories of the six participants were illustrated. The data was analysed by using open and axial coding via the constant comparative method. This was done in order to attempt to explain the experience of young L/G emerging adults identity development and coping strategies, in such a predominantly heternormative society. The main themes emerging from the analysis are; the experience of negotiating a stigmatised identity and feelings of loneliness, a sense of inner conflict, and the split between religious and sexual identities. Coping mechanism used during sexual identity development and strengths developed in the process have also been central themes to the analysis. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22942 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7961 Title: The retrospective lived experience of 'coming out' in gay men Abstract: The aim of this research is to find out what is the lived experience of the participants during their coming out process. The approach was qualitative with semi-structured interviews and an interpretative phenomenological research approach was used. I conducted the research on a sample of six gay men aged between 40 to 55 years of age, who have been out for at least seven years. Findings unexpectedly showed that all of my participants had no actual psychological effects apart from stress. Another finding was that the experience of my participants was accepted by those around them, including parents and peers. Not all of them however directly declared their sexuality, up till today, to their parents. During those days it transpired that it was difficult to get information regarding what homosexuality was all about. All the participants had various experiences. The emerged themes for all participants were coming to terms with one's sexuality', where all of them at some point in their life came out, coming out to peers', coming out to family members', the psychological effects during their coming out' and the psychological and social norms in relation to the lack of information locally'. The following two themes were to be found with only few participants: living another life', which included one participant who is married with two children and another one who was on the edge of marrying, and gay marriages'. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7961 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7960 Title: The lived experience of working mothers Abstract: The main aim of this study was to gain an in depth understanding of the experience of being a working mother, with special attention given to exploring the struggles working mother's face to find a balance between their career and family. To gain insight on this experience, five interviews were conducted with five different working mothers all of whom worked full-time and whose children were under the age of sixteen. The essence of this experience was extracted from the interviews by making use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Salient themes were brought out from all the interviews; the ones that I thought well captured the true essence of this experience. Limitations and suggestions for future research regarding this topic are also discussed towards the end of this study. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7960 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7959 Title: The lived experience of perfectionistic people Abstract: This research aimed at exploring the lived experience of perfectionists. A qualitative approach was used and semi-structured interviews were carried out with four different participants. These were analysed by adopting an Interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA). The results showed that participants have an overall positive outlook to being a perfectionist, although they mention some difficult situations which they perceive to be a result of being perfectionistic. Perfectionism was almost objectified and even put on a pedestal. It appears that to these participants being a perfectionist makes life easier and enables one to be prepared for future occurrences. Most research conducted on perfectionism has focused on the negative aspects of perfectionism. This study brings to light an opposing perspective. Description: B.PSY.(HONS) Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7959 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z