/library/oar/handle/123456789/55276 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:19:03 GMT 2026-06-13T07:19:03Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/56364 Title: A study on the abuse experienced by social workers in Malta in the exercise of their profession Abstract: Literature explores various forms of abuse experienced by professionals in the course of one’s professional duties (Mayhew & Chappell, 2001). Research has shown that there is especially high prevalence of violence experienced by social service employees (Harris & Leather, 2012; Koritsas, Coles, & Boyle, 2010; McDonald & Sirotich, 2005; Ringstad, 2005). However, a lack of clarity exists regarding the issue of abuse against social work professionals in Malta. This research study was therefore conducted with the aim to examine the prevalence of abuse experienced by social workers in Malta in the exercise of their profession and to understand the bearing that the experienced abuse has had on the practitioners’ wellbeing. For the purpose of this study, ‘abuse’ was defined as ‘any behaviour in the form of hostile or unwanted conduct, verbal comments, gestures or actions by another person, that affect an employee’s dignity or psychological or physical integrity, often resulting in a harmful work environment for the employee’ (adapted from Chappell & DiMartino, 2006). A mixed methods design was employed in gathering the data for this study, as this enabled the researcher to cross validate the yielded results. There has been a 30% response rate to the questionnaire. Four participants were selected for the in-depth interviews through snowball sampling (Bryman, 2012). The quantitative data results have demonstrated that abuse from clients throughout the social workers’ career was almost endemic, with nearly all of participants having experienced such abuse at least once. Furthermore, the study indicated that over the past 12 months period, psychological abuse from clients was the most prevalent form of abuse that the social workers reportedly experienced. The study results also confirm Koritsas, Coles and Boyle’s (2010) findings that abuse towards social workers can come not just from clients but also from clients’ significant others, work colleagues, supervisors/managers and allied professionals, and although they are reportedly not as prevalent as abuse from clients is, their impact is significant. In comparison to receiving any other abuse explored in this study, a high number of social workers have reported that experiencing abuse from their superiors has had the most adverse effects by means of diminished feelings of autonomy, safety, happiness, belonging, reduced ability to generally trust in people, increased feelings of distress (such as fear, anger, burnout) and reduced motivation for work. The qualitative results also point towards the social workers’ perception that abuse from superiors is by far worse than abuse from clients (Refer to section 4.3). Therefore, although in this study the prevalence of abuse by superiors is not high (but still significant), its impact is noteworthy and cannot be ignored in a situation in which retention of social workers is a major challenge (Graham, & Nicholas, 2016; Koritsas, Coles, & Boyle, 2010). Description: B.A.(HONS)SOC.WORK Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/56364 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/56332 Title: Putting words into pictures : the potential use of art in various different settings of social work Abstract: Communication of information is an essential part in social work practice. This, however, can be limited at times due to various barriers encountered by social workers with their clients. In view of such communication barriers, the purpose of this qualitative research study is to explore the potential use of art amongst social workers coming from different settings in Malta. Furthermore, it aims to gather the perception of the interviewed social workers on the efficacy of art as a method of communication. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were carried out with a total of ten social workers representing different areas within the Foundation for Social Welfare ¸£ÀûÔÚÏßÃâ·Ñ. This research study has identified a number of barriers to communication experienced in case-work process by the interviewed professionals, which hinders effective engagement and assessment. In such instances, most of the participants were found to make use of art in social work practice and they mentioned different ways how art can be implemented into practice. Art is found to be commonly used with young children and adolescents, and it is said to be very effective in engaging potential clients and gathering significant information. Despite its effectiveness, the study has found that sometimes social workers restrain themselves from integrating the use of art in practice. This is because they fear the possibility of misinterpretation due to lack of insight and training on the utilization of art in social work. Taking into consideration the findings of this study, it is recommended that social workers are provided with appropriate training on the use of art in social work and its efficacy in facilitating communication with clients. It was also recommended to provide social workers with purposeful resources to utilize when implementing an art making or creative activity with clients. Additionally, this study recommends further research studies to be carried out about the use of art in relation to specific groups of clients and other aspects in the social work process. Description: B.A.(HONS)SOC.WORK Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/56332 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/56273 Title: What is the trajectory of the development of addiction among former drug users? Abstract: The social problem of drug addiction has been present in our society for a long time. This research focuses on the typical development of a drug addiction. Therefore, semi-structured interviews were carried out with people who had a drug addiction, but have been clean for over two years. The aim of such interviews is to explore the life of the participants in a holistic manner. This includes: their social support network, lifestyle, emotional state, and family environment. In order for such to take place in this research, a qualitative approach was used. Nine semi-structured interviews were carried out and the information that was gathered from the interviews was analysed through a thematic analysis procedure. The results from these interviews conveyed that various factors facilitate the development of drug addiction such as: unhealthy lifestyle, familial problems, lack social support and strong relationships, exposure to drugs, and emotional pain. It can therefoe be concluded that drug addiction is not just a matter of getting addicted to a chemical, but rather misuse substances as a coping mechanism towards the difficulties faced throughout one's life. Description: B.A.(HONS)SOC.WORK Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/56273 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/56271 Title: The challenges of school social work in Malta Abstract: The main goal of school social work is to enable students to function and learn in the school environment (Openshaw, L., 2008). In a school context, the primary goal is to educate students and focus on educational programmes that the school determines as the most valid for adolescents. On the other hand, the concept of ‘failure’ in adolescents’ education can be widely considered as a complex issue with various relevant perspectives. This qualitative study shows that the reasons for school failures are constantly evolving and are related to various aspects, as this results in the divided views about the reasons for failure. Martell Teasley et al. (2012), argue what in fact blocks the role of school social workers from implementing their interventions and identify barriers such as unreachable educators and parents, low resources, time limitations, miscommunications with school educators and administration employees (Teasley, Canifield, Archuleta, Crutchfield, & Chavis, 2012). For the purpose of this study, eight structured, one-to-one interviews with school social workers working at secondary level in Independent, Church, and Government schools were conducted in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the difficulties that school social workers encounter. Interviews were selected as the data collection tool, due to their appropriateness for a qualitative study. Furthermore, data was transcribed and categorised by coding various related themes. The crux of this study is related to the research question - What difficulties do school social workers in the secondary education system encounter in supporting those students that are at greater risk of failing academically? Consequently, results show that, the lack of therapeutic supervision to school social workers, the conflicts between professionals during multidisciplinary practices, and the limited financial and human resources, are the main salient difficulties that school social workers encounter. Further to the above, the researcher recommended; • A school programme to develop a sense of socialisation where the values of social behaviour, friendships, appreciation of different cultures and building relationships are enhanced. • School social workers need to have a representative when education policies and legislations are being drafted. • A common approach/perspective/method with other professionals in interventions. • Seminars with parents/carers on the role of school social work and the services’ positive benefits. • A thorough analysis is required to determine if the job description fits with the job demands, which would be complemented with a professional audit to propose professional changes. • Monitoring according to students’ academic assessment not attendance sheet. • Integrated alternative learning programs within the school setting. • Therapeutic Supervision. One of the pillars to provide a professional social work practice is that the social worker is to have professional supervision sessions in a structured practice. • Various other qualitative studies are to keep on analysing the sector. Consequently, with similar studies, school social work can keep its momentum to improve the educational system in Malta and contribute to have better societies in future. Description: B.A.(HONS)SOC.WORK Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/56271 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z