Katya DeGiovanni | University of Malta (original) (raw)

Papers by Katya DeGiovanni

This paper is about the impact and extent of technostress on the lives of people, taking into acc... more This paper is about the impact and extent of technostress on the lives of people, taking into account individual and group differences. A questionnaire was designed from data collected from 34 one-to-one interviews conducted in 2016. Seven hundred and sixty participants completed the questionnaire, together with the General Health Questionnaire which assesses a person's self-reported quality of mental health. Preliminary results indicate that there are significant differences between groups in a variety of aspects in relation to specific aspects of technology which are linked to stress as well as general mental health.

This research aims at shedding light on the experiences of Early School Leavers and their familie... more This research aims at shedding light on the experiences of Early School Leavers and their families; experiences which are very often disregarded or merely neglected when tailoring policies and strategies to combat Early School Leaving (ESL). This research seeks to qualitatively obtain information related to the causes and consequences of ESL, extrapolate data on the background of Early School Leavers and their families as well as give voice to their feelings, prospects, perspectives and experiences, whilst eliciting pertinent recommendations. The semi-structured interviews identify several shortcomings in the local educational system, including the focus on knowledge-based subjects, with little opportunities to opt for vocational subjects. In this research, the vast majority of interviewees advocate for the traditional trade schools. Furthermore, while the working-class parents interviewed feel that they lack the necessary skills and confidence to actively involve themselves in their children's school life, they suggest an increase in communication between the school and home.

Workplace health & safety, 2024

Background: This multilevel meta-analytic review is designed to analyze and quantify the effect s... more Background: This multilevel meta-analytic review is designed to analyze and quantify the effect size of the association between technostress and work-life fit among employees. Method: By adhering to the PRISMA 2020 Statement, seven databases (i.e., PubMed, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, MEDLINE, Wiley Online Library, and Web of Science) were searched for studies reporting the association between technostress and work-life fit. Results: Out of the 476 articles that were screened, 7 met the established criteria and were subsequently included in this multilevel meta-analytic review. A majority of these studies highlighted the existence and intensity of the association between technostress and work-life fit, as evidenced by multiple Pearson's r. Our findings supported a medium association (Cohen's d = −0.41). Noteworthy differences were found when considering the interdependence of effect sizes within and between studies. Conclusion: The results of this multilevel meta-analytic review underscore the significance of understanding this association to inform optimal choices in terms of welfare policies and organizational decisions that promote employee well-being. This knowledge may serve as a scientific foundation for viewing new technologies not merely as hurdles but also as potential resources.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-r... more The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-related behaviours among Maltese university students. Based on the Five-Factor Model of personality, this study uncovered significant differences between low, medium and high levels of personality traits and their association to health-related behaviours. Data were collected from a sample of 576 students who completed a questionnaire comprising a personality inventory and wellbeing questions. The findings suggested that conscientiousness and agreeableness related to health-promoting behaviours like reduced binge drinking and drug use. Similarly, extraversion and openness related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption. However, healthdeterring behaviours were also observed. These included drinking and driving, as well as unsafe sexual practices. Neuroticism was linked to health-deterring behaviours that included lack of exercise and drug use. This study adds to the existing evidence that shows personality traits to serve as both protective and deterring factors to health. The novel findings on Maltese students’ personality-health trends reported in this paper could be used to develop health promotion strategies aimed at specific personalities.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-r... more The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-related behaviours among Maltese university students. Based on the Five-Factor Model of personality, this study uncovered significant differences between low, medium and high levels of personality traits and their association to health-related behaviours. Data were collected from a sample of 576 students who completed a questionnaire comprising a personality inventory and wellbeing questions. The findings suggested that conscientiousness and agreeableness related to health-promoting behaviours like reduced binge drinking and drug use. Similarly, extraversion and openness related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption. However, healthdeterring behaviours were also observed. These included drinking and driving, as well as unsafe sexual practices. Neuroticism was linked to health-deterring behaviours that included lack of exercise and drug use. This study adds to the existing evidence that shows personality traits to serve as both protective and deterring factors to health. The novel findings on Maltese students' personality-health trends reported in this paper could be used to develop health promotion strategies aimed at specific personalities.

To the extent reasonable and practicable the material made available in Nottingham ePrints has be... more To the extent reasonable and practicable the material made available in Nottingham ePrints has been checked for eligibility before being made available.

Journal of Gambling Studies

Problem gambling not only impacts gamblers but also protrudes onto several affected others who ex... more Problem gambling not only impacts gamblers but also protrudes onto several affected others who experience adverse impacts, including financial, health, relationships, and psychological problems. The aims of this systematic review were twofold; to identify the psychosocial interventions to minimise the harm caused to affected others of problem gambling and to assess their efficacy. This study was conducted as outlined in the research protocol PROSPERO (CRD42021239138). Database searches were conducted in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Social Science Database, CINHAL Complete, Academic Search Ultimate and PsycINFO. Randomised controlled trials of psychosocial interventions that aimed to minimise the harm caused to affected others of problem gambling written in English were eligible for inclusion. Risk of bias for included studies was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool. The identified interventions focused on two approaches to supporting affected others: interventions involving both the probl...

Contemporary immigration: Psychological perspectives to address challenges and inform solutions.

Families, Relationships and Societies, 2016

This article starts by setting the context for Maltese families with a member who has mental heal... more This article starts by setting the context for Maltese families with a member who has mental health problems by providing an overview of the mental health services on offer. It explores the considerable stress that primary caregivers endure and the effects of the person’s mental health problems on their own children. In the study, views were elicited from 81 caregivers accompanying patients attending the psychiatric outpatients clinic in the main state hospital in Malta. The Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire was also used. Findings show that 47% of caregivers felt under pressure, 42% claimed to be depressed and 34% were receiving help from their general practitioner (GP). Only 38% reported receiving any help from mental health services and up to 82% of the children of mental health patients were ignored by the same services. Challenging behaviour and lack of appetite were among the direct effects on children. Current mental health services in Malta are critiqued and ways of setting up a family-inclusive service in a familialistic country such as Malta are put forward.

This study analyzed how a cohort of eight young women who underwent certain difficulties whilst a... more This study analyzed how a cohort of eight young women who underwent certain difficulties whilst at secondary school experienced their transition from secondary school to either work or further education. It explores changes in their perception of events and happenings that they classified as significant to them, and the influence that these changes of perception had on their evolving life-course. While not formally classified as emotionally or behaviorally challenged, all the participants in this study claimed to have had varying depths of difficulty when at secondary school, some alleging that they had been classified as troublesome by their teachers and others claiming to have seen themselves as disruptive in classroom settings. The study was informed by the participants' voices about how they saw their transitions being forged and has a phenomenological focus.

Further Education (FE) is almost a new venture on the Maltese Islands particularly for UK NVQ Lev... more Further Education (FE) is almost a new venture on the Maltese Islands particularly for UK NVQ Levels 1 and 2. In 2001 the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST)introduced the Foundation Certificate: A Further Education (FE) access course without entry requirements. Drawing mainly on the study by Ball, Maguire and Macrae (2000), Bourdieu’s habitus and structure (1977; 1990; 1993) as well as Evans’ bounded agency (2002; 2007) and Evans and Heinz’s (1993: 1994) transition types, this thesis explores the transitory experience of eight female students from Compulsory to Further Education. Between 2007 and 2010 these students narrated their experiences prior to entry at MCAST, as students on the MCAST campus, during their work placements as well as on their workplace. Findings indicate that FE and work were chosen by elimination of the academic path even though it seems that school did not prepare the participants for these routes. The MCASTBTEC formative assessment system ...

This study analyzed how a cohort of eight young women who underwent certain difficulties whilst a... more This study analyzed how a cohort of eight young women who underwent certain difficulties whilst at secondary school experienced their transition from secondary school to either work or further education. It explores ch anges in their perception of events and happenings that they classified as significant to t hem, and the influence that these changes of perception had on their evolving life-co urse. While not formally classified as emotionally or behaviorally challenged, all the par ticipants in this study claimed to have had varying depths of difficulty when at secondary school, some alleging that they had been classified as troublesome by their teachers an d others claiming to have seen themselves as disruptive in classroom settings. The study was informed by the participants’ voices about how they saw their trans itions being forged and has a phenomenological focus.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-r... more The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-related behaviours among Maltese university students. Based on the Five-Factor Model of personality, this study uncovered significant differences between low, medium and high levels of personality traits and their association to health-related behaviours. Data were collected from a sample of 576 students who completed a questionnaire comprising a personality inventory and wellbeing questions. The findings suggested that conscientiousness and agreeableness related to health-promoting behaviours like reduced binge drinking and drug use. Similarly, extraversion and openness related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption. However, health- deterring behaviours were also observed. These included drinking and driving, as well as unsafe sexual practices. Neuroticism was linked to health-deterring behaviours that included lack of exercise and drug use. This study adds to the existing evidenc...

Malta Journal of Health Sciences, 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-r... more The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-related behaviours among Maltese university students. Based on the Five-Factor Model of personality, this study uncovered significant differences between low, medium and high levels of personality traits and their association to health-related behaviours. Data were collected from a sample of 576 students who completed a questionnaire comprising a personality inventory and wellbeing questions. The findings suggested that conscientiousness and agreeableness related to health-promoting behaviours like reduced binge drinking and drug use. Similarly, extraversion and openness related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption. However, health- deterring behaviours were also observed. These included drinking and driving, as well as unsafe sexual practices. Neuroticism was linked to health-deterring behaviours that included lack of exercise and drug use. This study adds to the existing evidenc...

Professional Psychology Research and Practice

Workplace health & safety, 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-r... more The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-related behaviours among Maltese university students. Based on the Five-Factor Model of personality, this study uncovered significant differences between low, medium and high levels of personality traits and their association to health-related behaviours. Data were collected from a sample of 576 students who completed a questionnaire comprising a personality inventory and wellbeing questions. The findings suggested that conscientiousness and agreeableness related to health-promoting behaviours like reduced binge drinking and drug use. Similarly, extraversion and openness related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption. However, healthdeterring behaviours were also observed. These included drinking and driving, as well as unsafe sexual practices. Neuroticism was linked to health-deterring behaviours that included lack of exercise and drug use. This study adds to the existing evidence that shows personality traits to serve as both protective and deterring factors to health. The novel findings on Maltese students' personality-health trends reported in this paper could be used to develop health promotion strategies aimed at specific personalities.

Journal of Gambling Studies

Contemporary immigration: Psychological perspectives to address challenges and inform solutions.

Families, Relationships and Societies, 2016

This study analyzed how a cohort of eight young women who underwent certain difficulties whilst a... more This study analyzed how a cohort of eight young women who underwent certain difficulties whilst at secondary school experienced their transition from secondary school to either work or further education. It explores ch anges in their perception of events and happenings that they classified as significant to t hem, and the influence that these changes of perception had on their evolving life-co urse. While not formally classified as emotionally or behaviorally challenged, all the par ticipants in this study claimed to have had varying depths of difficulty when at secondary school, some alleging that they had been classified as troublesome by their teachers an d others claiming to have seen themselves as disruptive in classroom settings. The study was informed by the participants’ voices about how they saw their trans itions being forged and has a phenomenological focus.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-r... more The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-related behaviours among Maltese university students. Based on the Five-Factor Model of personality, this study uncovered significant differences between low, medium and high levels of personality traits and their association to health-related behaviours. Data were collected from a sample of 576 students who completed a questionnaire comprising a personality inventory and wellbeing questions. The findings suggested that conscientiousness and agreeableness related to health-promoting behaviours like reduced binge drinking and drug use. Similarly, extraversion and openness related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption. However, health- deterring behaviours were also observed. These included drinking and driving, as well as unsafe sexual practices. Neuroticism was linked to health-deterring behaviours that included lack of exercise and drug use. This study adds to the existing evidenc...

Malta Journal of Health Sciences, 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-r... more The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits and health-related behaviours among Maltese university students. Based on the Five-Factor Model of personality, this study uncovered significant differences between low, medium and high levels of personality traits and their association to health-related behaviours. Data were collected from a sample of 576 students who completed a questionnaire comprising a personality inventory and wellbeing questions. The findings suggested that conscientiousness and agreeableness related to health-promoting behaviours like reduced binge drinking and drug use. Similarly, extraversion and openness related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption. However, health- deterring behaviours were also observed. These included drinking and driving, as well as unsafe sexual practices. Neuroticism was linked to health-deterring behaviours that included lack of exercise and drug use. This study adds to the existing evidenc...

Professional Psychology Research and Practice