Navigating in Closeness with Residents at Group Homes for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: Self-Determination and Ethical Dilemmas in Everyday Work

Based on the perspective of frontline staff who work closely with adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in group homes in Sweden, this article explores ethical dilemmas that arise when daily tasks intersect with efforts to achieve the disability policy goal of self-determination and the nature of close work relationships. Using the successive focus group interview method, the study highlights the intricate nature of group home environments, where daily interactions demand nuanced ethical judgments at the micro level. The thematic analysis underscores how this complexity intensifies the work of supporting self-determination in close interrelationships, especially in risky or norm-breaking situations. These intricate dimensions of the frontline staff’s role often go unnoticed in social policy frameworks, leaving staff to navigate complex issues with limited regulatory guidance. Our conclusions emphasize the importance of providing resources for frontline staff to enhance their ability to understand and respectfully address ethical dilemmas in their practice.