Michael Galea

• M.Th. (UK), M.Sc. (USA), Ph.D. (USA), NBCC (USA),
• Associate Professor at University of Malta

This correlational study examined the potential effects of child abuse history on the psycho-spiritual status of Maltese college students. Data collected from 312 subjects indicated that 10.9% of the sample qualified as “severely” abused. Furthermore, in examining the correlations noted above, a sequential pattern of relationships appeared to emerg...

This population study examined the incremental validity of spirituality in predicting burnout among Maltese professional nurses. Cross-sectional and mixed-method design was conducted. Measures in this self-report questionnaire included the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Faith Maturity Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Big Five Inventory and a demogr...

Breast cancer subtypes differ in prevalence, aggressiveness, and availability of targeted therapies. However, research often examines the lived experiences of individuals with breast cancer collectively. One subtype, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of cancer that lacks targeted therapy and has higher recurrence and mortal...

Person-centered care presents a welcoming change towards a more holistic healthcare model. Rather than restricting its scope to the deficiencies and challenges that the individual may have, PCC widens its view to the autonomy of the person. Pertinent to this scope, it is the intention of this study to investigate the value and contribution of PCC t...

Mental illness is widespread among adults and remains the foremost cause of years lived with disability. Despite its importance, there is a scarcity of research on person-centered care (PCC) from the viewpoints of mental health service users, particularly within clinical community mental health services. This study sought to investigate the potenti...

Lymphoedema arises when the lymphatic system has been damaged and may occur secondary to cancer treatment. While much of the extant literature focuses on quality of life in females with breast cancer- related lymphoedema, this study explores the impact of living with lymphoedema secondary to cancer treatment in males. Semi-structured interviews wer...

Lymphoedema is a swelling in part of the body due to an obstructed flow of lymphatic fluid. Extant literature mainly targets coping strategies in females having breast cancer related lymphoedema. This research aims to explore the coping strategies of males living with lymphoedema, secondary to cancer treatment. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews...

If you're looking for an engaging book on mental health that combines compelling stories with insightful commentary, "Life is what You make it" by Michael Galea might be the perfect choice. This book explores the real causes of a number of mental health conditions, moving beyond the conventional wisdom of simply chemical imbalances. Galea weaves to...

Background Marked disadvantages of females with ADHD were identified by previous narrative reviews. Factors side-lining females with ADHD appear to be both biological and sociological in nature. Some published systematic reviews have focused on circumscribed aspects of female ADHD. An all-inclusive systematic review of the inequities which confer a...

Adoption can initiate many sentiments. Notable differences between adopted and nonadopted children are clearly indicated in research. Because limited research looks at the gradual development of the adoptee, this research looked at the lived experiences of Maltese adoptees and their coping mechanisms. Following Smith and Osborn (2015) guide on inte...

Appreciation of society as being the whole made up of so many different parts in terms of groups with various interests, skills and needs is what cultural diversity is about. Culture is defined as the distinctive customs, values, beliefs, knowledge, art and language of a society. Multiculturalism has always been embedded with the Maltese reality. H...

Background: That a diagnosis of, and treatment to cancer brings along shock, distress and possible long-term negative life changes is very clear from human experience and research alike. But such an experience can also relate to positive life changes, as increasing research on the aftermath of serious illness, such as cancer diagnosis consistently...

Bilanċ: għal Ħajja aħjar (2023) presents a number of interesting inserts on what it takes for a full and meaningful life, despite normal challenges and in view of potential mental health risks. Appealing stories and facts enhance this book as an insightful and soul searching read. It is published by InPrint Malta, and can be purchased from: https:/...

Nurse burnout is a widespread phenomenon that may impact their quality of life, work efficacy and organisational commitment. Hence, the need for interventions that enhance nurse well-being, and which target the needs and concerns of professionals working in a complex and dynamic context. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of an i...

Studies on the effects of parental alcoholism on adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) have been mostly quantitative. To acquire a richer and better understanding of this realm in Malta, while outlining concrete recommendations to further contain this problem, a qualitative study was thus employed. Six participants were selected after meeting all in...

A global pandemic raises concerns among each human being. However, this is a more pressing reality among vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. It is the scope of this study to investigate the potential psycho-social risks that COVID-19 presents to the elderly in Malta, with a particular focus on their holistic mental health status. Public data, g...

The relationship between artwork and mental health has been the subject of various research endeavours. Whilst artwork has been long used as a means of emotional expression, it is also a method of raising mental health awareness. In this study, an art collection was presented to depict the challenges faced by many individuals living with a mental i...

Mental health students, who are still undergoing training, might find it challenging to visualise and fully understand what their patients experience. For this reason, the authors created a virtual reality simulator which mimics the symptoms of a person suffering from schizophrenia at a virtual workplace. The simulation is managed by an artificial...

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis associated with adverse mental health consequences. This study examined 2908 calls made to a national mental health helpline over a 10 month period, 2 months prior to (Pre-COVID) and 8 months during the pandemic phase, that incorporated the imposition of a partial lockdown, followed by the removal and...

Although the concept of the therapeutic milieu has been given prominence, the perceptions of care receivers in this regard are sparse. This study aimed to explore service users’ perceptions of the therapeutic milieu in a mental health rehabilitation unit. The method used was document analysis of annual reports generated by the unit through data col...

Ngħix Ħajja Sabiħa (2019) is a publication in the Maltese language on mental health and well-being. Consisting of brief inputs, it engages the reader into thought-provoking stories and inserts that challenge the reader for a more holistic life.

This is a new book on mental health in general with practical tips for everyday life, especially considering that life is full of ups and downs. Life may be very unfair at times, but still worth living. This book, in Maltese, is for the general public, explaining and engaging the reader with good insights and lessons learned from life how to strike...

Background: Research indicates that a number of people report psychological growth after experiencing trauma. This may be so because suffering stimulates the need and search for meaning [1]. In this study, we sought to clarify the predictors of well-being among a sample of tertiary students in view of past trauma. Past traumas included loss of a lo...

Introduction: Research strongly suggests a steady relationship between important life events and one's tendency toward spirituality. Studies view this phenomenon as both positive and negative, always depending on many contributing factors. More complex is the situation when individuals are exposed to vicarious posttraumatic exposure. This study ana...

Background: Increasingly, research is indicating that individuals do report psychological growth after experiencing trauma, and not only its adverse effects. Method: In this cross-sectional correlational study among university students, we investigated their perceived stress, past traumas, subjective well-being, spirituality, positive and negative...

Objectives: To explore and understand the lived experiences of the legal guardians of adolescents who engaged in Deliberate Self-Harm while investigating the need for further education and support. Method: Four participants and one pilot study were purposely sampled from the Child Guidance Unit in Malta — all recruited participants were the biologi...

Studies about fireworks-related trauma are scarce. Research on other traumas indicates not only the negative reactions and consequences, but also some important positive experiences. This falls within the remit of post-traumatic growth. More complicated may be the possibility of growth through trauma experienced by another person. Vicarious posttra...

Burnout is a reality that affects all individuals, including those involved in religious pastorate (Hall, 1997). Considering its repercussions, research may help in buffering burnout's far reaching effects. This preliminary study focused on the holistic wellbeing of lay catechists in Malta, a very specific population which has not been studied as s...

A growing number of studies are indicating that a number of people report psychological growth after experiencing trauma. This may be so because suffering stimulates the need and search for meaning [1]. In this cross-sectional and correlational study, we sought the relationship of subjective wellbeing to posttraumatic growth in view of past trauma...

Childhood maltreatment is a heterogeneous domain, full of complexities. It occurs in all socioeconomic, religious and ethnic groups. Child abuse carries one universal denominator: abuse of power. Childhood maltreatment consists of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, and neglect. The purpose of this review was to underline the potential effects o...

Posttraumatic growth is the positive psychological change experienced from one's struggle with challenging life events. Studies on the subject have found that for many, life ultimately becomes richer and more meaningful. In this cross-sectional correlational study among university students (N=194), we investigated their perceived stress, past traum...

Burnout and personality are two increasingly relevant variables in research studies related to the holistic well-being of individuals when faced with stressors in life. In this correlational study, we targeted registered nurses working in highly stressful units at three different hospitals in Malta (N=241). A cross-sectional design was employed. A...

How spirituality acts as a resource vis-à-vis life events and well-being may not be very clear, and is thus a matter of much ongoing research. This chapter focuses on a number of studies that investigated these hypotheses, in particular those conducted in a diverse culture. Galea (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011b) investigated whether spirituality is...

This exploratory study of Roman Catholic secular priests examined their psycho-spiritual well-being and vocational challenges. With a 52% response rate, this population study indicated that most respondents had a balanced ministry life and healthy spirituality. However, pastoral and vocational satisfactions, together with mandated celibacy, remain...