https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67780 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:46:55 GMT 2026-04-16T02:46:55Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87605 Title: The needs of individuals with severe mental illness in accessing primary healthcare Abstract: Background: Patients with severe mental illness often suffer from somatic diseases and have a higher mortality rate due to natural causes than the general population. A 10-to-25-year life expectancy reduction in these individuals has been recorded. The study explores Primary Healthcare factors that locally contribute to this phenomenon. Aim: To explore SMI individuals’ awareness of physical comorbidities, their knowledge of available local Primary services and their experiences within these services. To find out needs and preferences of SMI individuals, to enhance the care for their physical health, and to explore the feasibility of carrying out physical health checks at a PHC level. Design: A qualitative approach following the principles of Bradshaw’s Taxonomy of Social Need. The study was conducted in the participants’ homes, or within Health Centres depending on the participants’ preferences. Four male and four female, Maltese SMI individuals between ages 35 and 60 on antipsychotic treatment for the past four years. Methods: Purposeful sampling was used to recruit. Semi-structured interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Bradshaw’s conceptual framework guided the analysis in this study. Results: Four superordinate themes emerged: ‘Scarcity of Physical Healthcare and Advice’, ‘Patient Related Barriers to Physical Healthcare’, ‘Barriers and Motivators When Accessing PHC Services’ and ‘Need for Better Physical Health’. Conclusion: There is a fragmentation of care between MHC, PHC and private physicians which has contributed to discrepancies in SMI individuals’ healthcare and health education. Health professionals should be notified that this population is receiving insufficient healthcare. SMI individuals are willing to look after their physical health. They find no challenges with service providers’ responses at the PHC centres and are in favour of attending routine check-ups within these premises. PHC and MHC nurses can play a crucial role in the preventive and promotive care of these individuals through integration. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87605 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87516 Title: An indomitable spirit : traditional martial arts for mental well-being Abstract: Background: Traditional martial arts (TMA) have been correlated with better psychological health. The available literature confirms this relationship but not the reasons behind it. Aim: This study aimed to explore how long-term practice of traditional martial arts, specifically Tang Soo Do (TSD), contributed to mental well-being (MWB). Design: A qualitative, multiple case-study design was used. Methods: Purposive, homogenous sampling was used. The sample consisted of 7 Tang Soo Do practitioners with at least 3 years of experience, ranking from Cho Dan Bo to 3rd Dan. The study was undertaken from an insider-researcher’s perspective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, which were then analysed using withincase analysis and cross case synthesis via thematic analysis, to interpret the participants’ constructed meaning. Results: Four main themes emerged: The Black Belt Identity, A Community Spirit, The Dojang as a Place to Unwind, and A Backdrop for Mindfulness. These themes were connected to what defines mental well-being. Conclusion: This exploratory study found that several factors, including Tang Soo Do’s internal philosophies and its sense of community may contribute to mental wellbeing. The study revealed that the long-term practitioners of traditional martial arts perceived their training as a coping mechanism and achieved skills that positively affected their everyday lives. Recommendations for practice and further research as based on the results are presented Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87516 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87502 Title: Exploring the sociodemographic and outcome variables of children and adolescents assessed by CAPES Abstract: Background – Psychiatric emergency services offer urgent mental health assessments to prevent unnecessary inpatient psychiatric hospitalisation. The most prevalent mental health presenting complaints to a paediatric A&E in developed countries are self-harm behaviour, anxiety, low mood, behavioural problems, and substance abuse. Aim – To examine the sociodemographic and outcome variable of children and adolescents assessed by the Children and Adolescent Psychiatric Emergency Service (CAPES) between July 2016 and October 2020. Participants – All of the cases assessed by CAPES over a 4-year period were included in this study, in total there were 918 young people who made use of this service. Design – A descriptive content analysis of available hospital documents was performed to identify possible promoters and risk factors associated with child psychiatric emergencies. Setting – the study took place at CAPES, which is situated at the Accident and Emergency department at Mater Dei Hospital. Results & Conclusion – There was no significant difference for the participants by gender, and most of the participants were aged between 10-13 years old. Many of the children and adolescents had no previous psychiatric history. Suicidal thoughts and behavioural problems were the two most predominant presenting complaints. 42.8% of the cases assessed by CAPES were classified as nonurgent. Most of the participants were referred from school. CAPES was most busy during the scholastic months. The rate of admissions following CAPES assessment was 11.4%, and most of the admissions were voluntary. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87502 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87501 Title: The lived experiences of parents caring for their adolescent with anorexia nervosa Abstract: Background: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a potentially severe mental disorder that predominantly initiates in adolescence, affecting both the patients and their families. Indeed, the liabilities to provide care to an adolescent with AN and the difficulties of sustaining a family may negatively impact the parent. Regardless, healthcare professionals (HPs) are likely to concentrate on the on the patient’s care and neglect to support the caregiver. Aim & Objectives: This study aimed to explore the meaning the parents attribute to their experience of caring for their adolescent with AN. The objectives were to gain insight into the parents’ struggles and emotions, explore the impact of the adolescent’s diagnosis on their lives and their coping responses to caregiving. Thoroughly, this study will narrow the gap in the local and international literature considering this topic. Design: The design adopted was a qualitative approach following the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) (Smith et al., 2009). Participants: Five parents, consisting of four mothers caring for their daughter and one father caring for his son, all adolescents diagnosed with AN. Participants were recruited from a local centre specialised in treating eating disorders. Methodology: Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis were done using IPA. Results: Three super-ordinate themes emerged, namely: Getting to the Bottom of the Problem, Walking on Eggshells and The Aftermath. Conclusions: Participants described their harrowing experience with identifying and acknowledging their adolescent’s illness. High distress and anxiety were reported within parents while addressing the adolescent and implementing care. Notably, parents were affected psychologically, emotionally, physically, and socially, which led to a decreased quality of life. Furthermore, results imply that acceptance and escape mechanisms are the primary self-preserving responses within caregivers. Nevertheless, parents verbalised the importance of support from HPs as it generates motivation and hope for their adolescent’s recovery Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/87501 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z