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.