Wellbeing in Malta: insights from community consultation

Area of Science:

• Community Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Wellbeing research often overlooks community-specific language and participatory methods.
• Non-formal community development emphasizes democratization and participation.
• Understanding local correlates of wellbeing is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine wellbeing, its correlates, and associated language through participatory research.
• To explore the nuances of wellbeing determinants within a specific community context (Valletta, Malta).
• To identify age and gender distinctions in wellbeing perceptions.

Main Methods:

• Formative, participatory research utilizing open-ended dialogue.
• Qualitative data collection via a community consultation event.
• Content and thematic analysis of coded data.

Main Results:

• Family and interpersonal interactions are key positive and negative determinants of social wellbeing.
• Findings align with mainstream wellbeing literature but offer localized nuances.
• Identified specific language, age, and gender distinctions related to wellbeing in Malta.

Conclusions:

• Participatory research provides valuable insights into community wellbeing.
• Interpersonal relationships are central to social wellbeing.
• Further research using similar methods is recommended to explore wellbeing nuances.