/library/oar/handle/123456789/100015 2025-12-27T04:35:34Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/134901 Title: The lived experience of an informal caregiver : co-pilot, navigator and passenger Abstract: The importance of social support, particularly from family members, has been known to contribute towards positive medical outcomes (Hussey, 1998). A literature gap was identified within the context of ‘informal caregivers’, with scholarly texts focusing on informal caregivers of patients suffering from cancer, long-term illnesses, and patients receiving acute care. This study explores the lived experience of informal caregivers of people over 70 suffering from Type 2 diabetes by drawing on the theoretical framework of biographical disruption as defined by Bury (1982) and taking a closer look at the roles informal caregivers assume, the difficulties they face, as well as what resources they draw on. Data was gathered through individual interviews with seven informal caregivers. The data revealed that informal caregivers in this study adopted the roles as identified by Casey et al (2013): navigator, knowledge broker and companion. Beyond these roles, this study was able to identify two additional roles, those of passenger and co-pilot. Together these roles describe the power relations between an informal caregiver and their ward. Difficulties were highlighted in terms of adhering to a daily routine, arising from the informal caregiver’s ward themselves (through the resistance they offered) or by external forces (community nurses’ unpredictable schedules). The element of fear was another theme which emerged strongly when analysing the data related to informal caregivers’ lived experience in facing adversity. It emerged that it was not always possible to work alone, either due to time constraints or simply because some tasks could not be done by the informal caregiver alone. In these cases, family members came into play and helped to shoulder the burden of care. Furthermore, participants found that knowledge was indispensable for providing quality care for their wards and frequently turned to medical professionals as a source of knowledge, whether to boost their own understanding or simply for reassurance. Description: M.A.(Melit.) 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/134871 Title: The experience of burnout among nurses at a long-term care facility Abstract: Burnout in nursing is a scarcely studied phenomenon especially in long-term care settings locally. This study assesses the experience of burnout among nurses at Saint Vincent de Paul residential home for the elderly. The three variables analytically selected as indicators of burnout are emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low level of personal accomplishment. Participants responded to a premeditated questionnaire also known as the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) comprise 22 statements and choosing an answer from the 7-point Likert scale, obtained from Mind Garden Inc. by permission. Moreover, four participants volunteered to be interviewed, and questions asked all emerged from the three variables listed above. There are a total of three research questions, one for each component of burnout and these measure the extent to and the ways in which nurses at SVP experience emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low level of personal accomplishment. The research method used is a triangulation study, therefore combining quantitative and qualitative data and is considered as being the gold-standard research method as it increases both the credibility and validity of research findings. Findings suggest that there is a moderate to high level of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation in my population which may increase the tendency of developing burnout but also a moderately-high to high level of personal accomplishment which is a protective indicator of burnout. Description: M.A.(Melit.) 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/134870 Title: A sociological analysis of the relationship between mental health and the built environment in Malta Abstract: In Malta, there are a number of social voices highlighting the effect of the built environment as a social determinant of health, effecting both the physical and mental health. In this study, the relationship between the built environment and mental health in Malta is analysed in effort to answer the research question: How do people perceive the impact of the surrounding built environment on their mental health? A questionnaire joining two pre-validated tools were used and 196 responses reflecting a confidence interval of 95% and a margin of error of 7% were collected and analysed. The majority note too much construction ongoing, on the islands with a decline in blue/green open spaces. An ever growing need to get away from construction is seen to be shared amongst many. Description: M.A.(Melit.) 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/134869 Title: The lived experience of nurses caring for end-of-life paediatric oncology patients Abstract: Background: Locally, on a yearly basis, ten children under the age of fourteen years are being diagnosed with cancer. With the introduction and advances in treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy over the years, the rate of curability is much higher than previous years. Although there were significant advances when it comes to curing cancer, unfortunately, there are still children being diagnosed with incurable cancer. With that being said, nurses play a crucial role when caring for end-of-life patients. Objectives: The main aim of this research is to explore the lived experiences of oncology nurses when caring for end-of-life paediatric oncology patients. This study will enable the participants to have a voice to express their feelings and help the readers understand what nurses face on a daily basis when caring for such sensitive patients. Research Model: The research model used for this research study is a qualitative approach. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected. Methodology: Qualitative analysis was used for this research study. Using purposive sampling, participants were chosen from the Rainbow Ward at Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre. Semi-structured interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants: Six participants working at the Rainbow Ward for a minimum of two years were chosen. One-to-one interviews were carried out, with each participant taking between forty to sixty minutes. Results: Four main themes emerged from this research study which are: (1) Nurses’ Interactions with Relatives, (2) Nurses’ Emotions, (3) Challenges, and (4) Coping Strategies. Conclusion: Listening to the participants’ lived experiences has made the researcher aware of the struggles nurses go through when caring for such patients. Although nurses are negatively affected when working in such an environment, there is also much in the data that highlights the privilege and satisfaction when caring for such patients. This research study has managed to capture some of the key aspects of lived experiences of being an oncology nurse caring for end-of-life paediatric patients in Malta. Description: M.A.(Melit.) 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z