Pogled na prošlost i budućnost osoba s intelektualnim teškoćama kroz perspektivu životnog tijeka
A Look at the Past and Future of People with Intellectual Disabilities Through the Life Course Perspective

Summary/Abstract: Compared with the general population, persons with intellectual disabilities often experience substantially different life trajectories; therefore, the life-course perspective was employed as the theoretical framework for this study. The aim was to examine the life course of individuals with intellectual disabilities who have lived in their families of origin, subsequently in institutional care, and who later underwent the process of deinstitutionalisation. A qualitative ethnographic approach was applied, complemented by semi-structured interviews and participant observation. In total, 27 persons with intellectual disabilities participated in the study. The findings indicate that, although positive life events were occasionally reported, participants’ life histories were predominantly marked by adverse experiences such as the death of family members, illness, and violence. At the same time, participants emphasised that family life, work engagement, and schooling represented meaningful dimensions of their past life course, with the first two being strongly desired domains for the future. These results are discussed in relation to existing empirical and theoretical insights. The study highlights the importance of more detailed exploration of life histories within everyday professional practice involving persons with intellectual disabilities, as well as the need to recognise and incorporate individuals’ prior life experiences—for example through traumainformed care. Furthermore, the findings underscore the importance of continued efforts in deinstitutionalisation processes to ensure that community-based supports enable the fulfilment of preferred life trajectories.

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