Articles

Social and professional integration of young adults with a mental handicap after leaving a specialised institution

Authors

  • Arnaud Chatenoud University of Paris X
  • Michel Corbillon University of Paris X

Keywords:

mental handicap, integration, follow-up

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study on the social and professional integration of young adults five to ten years after they have left an 'Institut Médico Professionnel' (Medical Professional Institution) (IMPro). After a brief presentation of the context and the method used, we show that, despite a high percentage of employment, social integration and access to autonomy remain problematic for many of them. Moreover, quantitative and interview analyses demonstrate that employment in a regular context or in sheltered surroundings corresponds to different modes of socialisation and contributes to the creation of a social identity. The issue of the relationship with the handicap proves to be decisive.

Author Biographies

Arnaud Chatenoud, University of Paris X

Team of Family Education and Social Interventions with Families, University of Paris X, Nanterre, Paris, France.

Michel Corbillon, University of Paris X

Professor of Educational Sciences, University of Paris X, Nanterre, Paris, France.

Published

2003-09-01

Issue

Section

Articles