/library/oar/handle/123456789/20012 2025-11-16T10:28:31Z 2025-11-16T10:28:31Z Barbara, Abner Francis Callus, Anne-Marie /library/oar/handle/123456789/138369 2025-08-26T06:32:37Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The lived experience of empowerment and overprotection on (in)dependent living of persons with intellectual disability Authors: Barbara, Abner Francis; Callus, Anne-Marie Abstract: This study investigated how persons with intellectual disabilities in Malta experience either empowerment or overprotection in their daily lives. One-to-one interviews were conducted with four adults with intellectual disabilities and their mothers. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Two persons with intellectual disability were found to be empowered, while the other two were found to be overprotected. Empowerment fosters opportunities for personal and social development, more possibilities for relationships and more personal time and privacy – all of which support independent living. Overproctetion reinforces the lack of independent living skills, social isolation and lack of personal time and space. Support services are needed to break the cycle of overprotection. These services should consider and support the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Bonnici, Cynthia Callus, Anne-Marie /library/oar/handle/123456789/136806 2025-07-03T07:20:57Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Empowering sounds or trivial rhythmic variations? Persons with intellectual disability expressing themselves through music Authors: Bonnici, Cynthia; Callus, Anne-Marie Abstract: The aim of this study was to understand the effects that music has on the life of people with intellectual disability. Three participants who communicate in non-traditional ways were selected, alongside their music therapist or music practitioners and their primary care givers. “Narrative portraiture,” an innovative and creative qualitative methodology that focuses on the creation of descriptive narrations, was adopted. Multiple observations were carried out with the main participants and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the non-disabled participants. This study confirms that music helps people who choose to engage in non-traditional communication to express themselves without the use of words. Through their active musical invol- vement, participants with disability experienced an enhanced quality of life. Music also seemed to positively impact non-disabled people who were in close proximity with the main participants, by creating pathways of positive understanding and driving the development of more meaningful connec- tions. The need to provide people with intellectual disability with appropriate spaces and sensitive persons is crucial.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Callus, Anne-Marie Gauci, Maria Victoria /library/oar/handle/123456789/136804 2025-07-03T07:17:20Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Living with a disability : social relational narratives Authors: Callus, Anne-Marie; Gauci, Maria Victoria Abstract: This chapter presents three narratives of the lives of two disabled persons and of a parent and her disabled child in Malta. These narratives are analysed through the social-relational model of disability by exploring how impairment-related needs, interaction with the environment, and interconnection with others play out in the lives of these four persons. Following a discussion of the SRM and the research methodology, brief vignettes of the three narratives are presented. Further, biographical details are provided in the subsequent analysis, which starts by considering how the three narrators processed life with a disability. Social-relational model then comes to the fore in the discussion of the intersection between disabling barriers and impairment in the lives of the narrators. The discussion then moves on to the narrators’ projections for the future. In the conclusion, the study’s contribution to a better understanding of the SRMD is discussed.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Zammit Pawley, Noel Callus, Anne-Marie /library/oar/handle/123456789/136803 2025-07-03T07:13:05Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: There is no magic wand but there is ability : the benefits of counselling for persons with intellectual disability Authors: Zammit Pawley, Noel; Callus, Anne-Marie Abstract: Introduction: This article presents research about counselling for persons with intellectual disability (ID) through analysing the experiences of counsellors when offering therapy to these persons and of persons with ID when receiving counselling.; Methodology: Semi-structed interviews (SSI) were carried out with six professionals and four persons with ID in Malta. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.; Results: The professional participants affirmed that counselling affects positively, and in different ways, individuals with ID. They stated that the ID and the presenting issues determine the counselling approach. Many issues mentioned by the counsellors apply to the general population, but some are specific to persons with ID. Interestingly, the persons with ID declared that, when need be and according to their issues, they do seek help from professionals. They voiced the importance of having counsellors who are able to listen to and understand them.; Conclusion: Considering the findings and analysis, it is suggested that further research, directly involving individuals with ID, is pursued to counter the knowledge dearth on this subject.

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