/library/oar/handle/123456789/11628 2025-12-21T16:33:15Z 2025-12-21T16:33:15Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/73189 2021-04-08T06:08:08Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The role of the family in the institutionalisation of older persons : a Maltese case study Abstract: Institutionalisation of older persons, whether Government-run or private homes, is an irrevocable feature of the fabric of modern society. "The social environment within which people grow older is rapidly changing. The size of families is decreasing, the role of extended families is diminishing, and perceptions in respect of intergenerational support and caring for older persons are rapidly changing" (United Nations, 2007: V111). The arguments as to whether this is desirable or not is endless. There is a tipping point which makes the choice of choosing freely to leave one's home or the home of a relative in favor of going to an institutions. The objective of this study is to probe non-judgmentally into the factors that led to that decision and determine the extent that family and friends had on individual elderly residents' decision to opt for institutionalisation. In the ideal world, the tipping point is a moment of convergence where all people concerned arrive at a unanimous decision that the time has come where the pros outweigh the cons for taking the decisive step. In reality, this ideal is either postponed unnecessarily to the point where the older adults are utterly hopeless in being cared for by family members or hurried because home-care becomes a social nuisance for carers. This study does not enter into these merits but accepts them as given. On the other hand, this reports attempts to investigate the extent to which the family's involvement is a crucial factor in the process that led to the institutionalisation of older residents. It may be surmised that older people who do not have the support of family members or friends might be at a disadvantage in recognizing that tipping point where it would be in their best interests to apply for admission to a home. Description: M.GER.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/36956 2018-12-04T02:46:07Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The narratives of domestic violence survivors who lived in a Shelter Abstract: This study explores the narratives of domestic violence survivors who lived in a shelter and the perceived assistance received. Narrative semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten survivors of domestic violence who made use of the three main shelter services in Malta. These narratives were triangulated with interviews conducted with shelter professionals. The stories collected were analysed using narrative and thematic analysis. This process yielded four main themes: a) The Start of a Journey - A Time for Adaptation; b) The Shelter - A Haven for Safety and Security; c) Weathering the Difficulties - Dealing with Distress, and d) The End of a Journey. The Onset of Another. The findings suggest that despite the complexity of the shelter environment, the participants, with the help of dedicated staff members, made great leaps forward towards their struggle for survival, and emerged triumphantly. The implications of these findings for policy and practice are also discussed. Description: M.FAMILY STUD.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/14705 2016-12-17T02:16:29Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Analysis of crime trends in the island of Gozo Abstract: This dissertation aims to shed a light on the crime trends in the tiny island of Gozo. For this purpose a longitudinal analysis of reported offences was carried out. The data collected was analysed in terms of the crime categories, different periods of the year, by locality and also against the national situation. This study identified an increase in crime between the end of the 1990s and the first years of the 2000s. This trend changed from 2005 onwards with a constant decrease in crime rates. Crime was also found to be seasonal, increasing in the summer months and keeping constant rates in winter. Crime counts and rates differed strongly between localities, with seaside villages displaying the highest rates. Finally, Gozo was found to be relatively safer compared to Malta though in some crime categories it surpasses the rates recorded in the mother island. Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/14662 2018-04-23T09:48:21Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Bullying prevention programmes in Gozo secondary schools Abstract: Bullying is not a contemporary problem, but has always been a part of life. Until recently it was often considered as ‘part of growing up’. Olweus, who was one of the first pioneers on bullying, in his studies on Norway, found that one in seven students are involved in bully/victim problems. Direct bullying seems to increase through the elementary years, peak in the secondary school and decline during high school years (Olweus, 1993). Our country, Malta is not immune to these prevalences. Over the past four years, there were almost 800 reported cases of bullying in state schools alone. According to the teachers union this reinforces the need for proper legislation to address the issue (Times of Malta, July 2013). A research carried out by the British council found that 62 percent of pupils in Malta consider bullying as a problem in their school (Times of Malta, May 2010). This evidence suggests that school bullying cannot be ignored and if it is ignored a sizeable number of pupils together with their families will continue to suffer ongoing torment. The National policy of bullying (December, 1999) which is called “Good Behaviour and Discipline Policy for Schools” was developed in order to serve as a guideline for schools in dealing with discipline issues. Fourteen years have passed on from the development of this policy and one questions its relevance and uses and whether it needs to be updated according to new research and evidence. The aim of this study is to explore this policy’s use and most important to discover how Gozitan secondary schools are currently dealing with bullying and its prevention. Description: B.A.(HONS)CRIMINOLOGY

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z