Everyday life of persons with intellectual disability living in residential settings: a systematic review of qualitative studies

Abstract

This article presents a systematic review of studies published between November 2010 and November 2014 about the everyday life of adults with intellectual disability as viewed from their own perspective. Everyday life refers to an interdisciplinary concept including approaches attentive to the mundane and to ordinary routines of social relations and practices. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. The review was carried out as an interpretive synthesis. Findings from the included studies revealed neglect of participation regarding the wishes, self-determination, choice and control of persons with intellectual disability in their everyday lives. This neglect demonstrates the limitations persons with intellectual disability face as agents and adult citizens in their everyday life, and shows violation of fundamental human rights.

Keywords:

• Intellectual disability
• everyday living
• participation
• subjective experiences
• human rights
• qualitative review

Acknowledgements

All of the authors have contributed equally to the process of writing the article. The authors would like to thank the Norwegian Research Council for financially supporting this study.