The experiences of LGBTIQ+ adolescents when accessing support services in Malta

Abstract

This study adopts a retrospective approach to explore the experiences of LGBTIQ+ adolescents as they accessed support services in Malta, specifically psycho-social services. The study employed a qualitative research strategy whereby six LGBTIQ+ participants aged between 18 and 25 participated in semi-structured interviews. Through thematic analysis, five themes were generated including the experiences of participants, the experience within the family, mainstream services, service professionals and specialist services. The findings revealed facilitators and barriers which impacted service accessibility for LGBTIQ+ adolescents. Fear and shame were internal sentiments that discouraged support-seeking, whereas the prerequisite of parental consent was deemed a structural barrier. Accordingly, affirmative parent support was regarded as a privilege, making the parent-child relationship a determinant of service utilisation. Alternatively, school (mainstream service) was a place where LGBTIQ+ adolescents felt vulnerable and at risk of bullying. Subsequently, professional good practice versus malpractice was highlighted. Lastly, when discussing types of services (mainstream and specialist) and their mode of delivery (online or in-person), participants shared characteristics (anonymity and convenience) that made services appealing. Overall, findings are valuable to social field practitioners, namely social workers, policymakers and the wider academic community. Acknowledging the study’s limitations allows for a comprehensive outlook of the research outcomes.