/library/oar/handle/123456789/78530 Sat, 20 Dec 2025 06:16:31 GMT 2025-12-20T06:16:31Z :443/library/oar/retrieve/49939e8c-3339-4933-8112-984e6ec36b80/Screenshot 2021-07-16 at 14.22.03.png /library/oar/handle/123456789/78530 /library/oar/handle/123456789/139919 Title: Studies in Social Wellbeing : volume 4 issue 2 Authors: Brandon, Toby; Falzon, Ruth; Borg, Maria Giulia; Debattista, Michael Abstract: Table of contents:; EDITORIAL: Toby Brandon and Ruth Falzon; ARTICLES:; - FAMILY DYNAMICS AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT: EXPLORING THE INFLUENCES OF FAMILY SUPPORT, COMMUNICATION, AND ACTIVITIES: Timothy Vella, Dania Elwohashi and Jeannine Vassallo; -ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TEEN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING ON YEAR 9 STUDENTS IN MALTESE STATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS: Maria Pace and Jeannine Vassallo; - SUFFERING IN SILENCE: MENTAL HEALTH IN THE MALTESE FOOTBALL PREMIER LEAGUE: Ayrton Attard and Adele Muscat; - BEYOND LOCATION: REIMAGINING COMMUNITY CARE FOR PERSONS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI) IN MALTA: Edgar Galea-Curmi and Stephania Dimech Sant; - RECTIFYING THE GAPS: THE MENTAL WELLBEING OF FEMALE OFFENDERS: Donnalise Portelli, Maria Mangion and Marygrace Vella; - PERSPECTIVES FROM MALTA: Paulann Grech and Andrew Azzopardi; - THE TRANSITION OF MALTESE MILITARY VETERANS TO NEW CAREERS AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE: Roseann Farrugia and Marvin Formosa Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/139919 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/139918 Title: Editorial [Studies in Social Wellbeing : volume 4 issue 2] Authors: Brandon, Toby; Falzon, Ruth Abstract: This special edition emerges from a desire to explore tension and hope in the field of mental health and create a space where developing theory meets the lived experience of people with mental distress. We collectively believe that continuing on the same path and remaining silent is no longer tenable. We argue that both services and research in the past 20 years have not produced significant steps towards either favourable approaches or an understanding of people with lived experience of mental distress (e.g., Bracken & Thomas, 2001; Demarco et al., 2025; Johnstone & Boyle, 2018; Pino-Posada, 2022; Robertson, 2017). Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/139918 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/139917 Title: Family dynamics and adolescent development : exploring the influences of family support, communication, and activities Authors: Vella, Timothy; Elwohashi, Dania; Vassallo, Jeannine Abstract: The family serves as a primary context for adolescent development, shaping various aspects of wellbeing through elements such as family communication, support, and activities. Thus, the family exerts a profound influence on adolescent development across various domains, including social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Family support, communication and activities play pivotal roles in shaping adolescents' identities, behaviours, and wellbeing. This study aims to explore how adolescents in Malta perceive the functioning of their families and the relationship between these perceived family dynamics and adolescent wellbeing indicators, including life satisfaction and resilience. The study uses Malta data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, an international research initiative that examines the health behaviours of 11-, 13-, and 15-year-olds within social contexts. In Malta, Data were collected from students in Years 7, 9, and 11 following the established HBSC methodology. This study employs correlation analysis and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to analyse these complex relationships. Key findings reveal negative trends in family communication, family support, and parental support as adolescents progress through school, with older students reporting less frequent communication and lower levels of support compared to their younger peers. Males perceived slightly higher levels of family support and communication compared to females. Findings can thus inform strategies and priorities to enhance awareness and resources directed towards familial relationships and support systems essential for promoting better family relationships. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/139917 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/139916 Title: Assessing the effectiveness of teen Mental Health First Aid training on year 9 students in Maltese state secondary schools Authors: Pace, Maria; Vassallo, Jeannine Abstract: Teen Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) was developed in 2012 in Australia (Wilcox et al., 2023) and is a school-based universal mental health intervention aiming to increase student supportive behaviours towards peers, mental health literacy and beliefs about help (Hart, et al, 2018). In Malta, a three-year project was initiated by the Mental Health Commissioner, Richmond Foundation (n.d.), and the Ministry for Education, Sports, Youth, Research, and Innovation (MEYR) to train all Year 9 (Y9) students in Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) during the scholastic years 2022 to 2025. In the second scholastic year of implementation (2023-2024), training was given to 2450 Y9 students (13-14-year-olds). This paper presents the results of baseline and post-training surveys completed by 352 and 335 students in four state schools in Malta during the scholastic year 2023-2024. Data collection for the baseline survey took place two weeks prior to the training, whilst the post-training survey was processed up to one month following training completion. Results indicate that tMHFA has a significant and positive impact on students, notably improving their mental health literacy. The training showed promising results in improved knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in peer support, suggesting potential implications for policy and practice. The data also highlight the need for educational initiatives to reduce stigma and enhance comprehensive mental health literacy. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/139916 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z