https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/9262 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:24:39 GMT 2026-04-12T04:24:39Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10519 Title: The young adult and chronic illness : implications for the counselling profession Abstract: With the advancement in medicine and technology, more people are living with chronic health conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of young adults living with chronic illness and any implications it might have on the counselling profession. The qualitative paradigm using Gadamer’s philosophical approach to hermeneutic phenomenology was the framework that guided this study. Twelve semi-structured, in-depth interviews were used to collect the data. Purposive sampling was used to recruitment twelve participants. An interview guide was specifically designed for the aim of this study. Van Manen’s six activities to phenomenological research were used to guide the analysis. Ethical considerations were taken into account and ways of ensuring rigour were considered throughout the research process. The resulting five super-ordinate themes were described as ‘a journey with chronic illness’, ‘life on a roller coaster’, ‘shedding the cocoon’, ‘the right for a family’, and ‘walking in the shade of help’. The meaning that one gives to the experience of chronic illness is pivotal in the way one adjusts to this experience, and which influences the meaning of identity as the person grows through young adulthood. This study highlights the need for respect for autonomy for the young person with chronic illness and emphasis the need for unconditional support from family, friends and health care professionals. The influence of chronic illness on one’s employability and the need to develop intimate relationships had a significant standing in this study. This study identified the implications of chronic illness on the role of the counsellor and recognized the dire need for the provision of counsellors by the state. Counselling aims at the enhancement of personal development and thus can support the chronically-ill person to integrate the illness into one’s identity and maintain a social status that is respectful for one’s development. This study calls for training professionals about the biopsychosocial effects of chronic illness on the young adult and on the developmental tasks of the individual across the life-span. It identifies the need for a policy that recognizes the ‘expert patient’ and develops strategies that enables closer relationships between patients and health care providers. further research about chronic illness during adulthood, particularly how this impacts on the family caring for a young adult with chronic illness is another salient recommendation from this study. Description: M.COUNSELLING Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10519 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10518 Title: The cost of caring : an exploration of the impact of vicarious traumatisation on the counsellor Abstract: The present research investigated the impact of vicarious traumatisation on counsellors, on their interpersonal relationships as well as on their attitude of their profession as a result of their work. Due to the counsellor’s involvement in their client’s process of human growth and healing and the exposure to their client’s trauma and resulting painful consequences, counsellors’ wellbeing is, sometimes, affected. This qualitative research adopted a narrative approach and was enhanced through the use of semi structured informal interviews with counsellors as the main method to collect data. The central concern of such an approach is the understanding of human experience at a holistic level. The interview schedule used was a flexible and powerful tool to capture the voices and the various and numerous ways people use to express the meaning of their experiences. Such a methodology offered me the opportunity to reach profoundly into the counsellors’ lived experiences. The main claim for the use of narrative is that “humans are storytelling organisms who, individually and collectively, lead storied lives. Thus, the study of narrative is the study of the ways humans experience the world.” (Connelly and Clandinin 1990) Recommendations from the study include the need for more training and a deeper awareness of vicarious traumatisation to all counsellors, both novice and experienced, in view of the adverse effects. In addition, the provision of support through personal therapy, peer supervision and supervision at an organisational level is recommended as being one of the most sought after coping strategy. Further studies might also confirm this. As well, further studies might indicate how counsellors’ relatives might be impacted by the level of the counsellors’ level of vicarious traumatisation and to what extent such vicarious traumatisation could lead to positive growth to all concerned. Description: M.COUNSELLING Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10518 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10004 Title: Writing ourselves : an effective tool in the process of therapy Abstract: This qualitative research study examines writing as a healing component in the counselling process. A small number of persons who used writing in their own therapeutic process were interviewed and the way writing helped them was explored in depth. The epistemological assumptions that informed this research and the research methods used were influenced by heuristic inquiry, narrative inquiry and ethnography. The findings, thus, are presented in a narrative form including, where possible, the participants‟ contributions in stanza form. The findings of this research project clearly show that writing can be very therapeutic and can lead to long-term benefits. They also indicate particular situations when writing is beneficial and with whom it could be helpful. The data collected also provides insights into how writing works. Recommendations for practice and future research are also offered at the end of this dissertation. Description: M.COUNSELLING Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10004 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10002 Title: Beyond the grapevine : potential counselling issues unfolding from the reality of Maltese single mothers Abstract: As in other countries, Malta too has, since the early 1990’s, seen an explosion in the number of unmarried mothers, many of whom experience several challenges. This dissertation explored these challenges with the aim to identify what counselling can offer to the single mother who might be struggling in her experience of the reality of mothering. This research aim was met through an extensive study of relevant international literature, complemented by practical research consisting of semi-structured in-depth interviews, based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, of seven single mothers over 18 years of age. The research identified a wide range of issues with which single mothers could be faced. These ranged from relationship issues to emotional issues, at times overwhelming, of aloneness, shame and guilt. Other issues, centering round attachment, age factors and financial concerns, also featured prominently in this research. This study also highlighted various coping mechanisms adopted by the participants to adapt to present circumstances and move on to embrace the uncertainty of the future. The participants in this research were at different points in their journey, yet all of them had unresolved emotional issues which could be explored in counselling, to help them enter into a transformative process leading them to embrace their life in a manner conducive to a greater growth and a fuller appreciation of their personal beliefs and values. This research argues that there is ample scope for more in-depth analysis of many of the findings highlighted therein. Description: M.COUNSELLING Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10002 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z