Romantic relationships and sexuality in a complex profile institution – paired interviews among individuals with intellectual disabilities

Background and objectives: In the Hungarian literature, the sexuality of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID)—in terms of opportunities, needs, and available support—remains an under-researched topic. In the theoretical background, we discuss findings from both Hungarian and international studies related to sexuality and romantic relationships, and we reflect on the Hungarian legal framework surrounding these issues. We conducted semi-structured, paired interviews with four couples living with ID in a complex residential care institution, focusing on the development of their romantic relationships and their experiences of sexuality. The interviews were analyzed using the method of basic thematic content analysis. We found differences between the couples regarding their attitudes toward sexuality and the extent of the environmental support they received. These findings further highlight the diversity of individuals and relationships within this target group.