Psychological characteristics of various types of mental deprivation in individuals with prolonged stays in residential institutions

In the context of the state’s strategy for deinstitutionalisation, the issue of deprivation related conditions in closed residential institutions – conditions that hinder rather than foster personal development and socialisation – remains critical and requires thorough analysis, recommendations, and alternatives. This article aimed to examine the deprivation experienced by individuals who have been in residential institutions for an extended period. The application of scientific methods such as analysis, synthesis, comparison, abstraction, and generalisation has enabled an exploration of the specific features of this phenomenon within the broader issue of prolonged institutionalisation in specialised social care facilities. The study also considered the conceptualisation of deprivation within the framework of human sciences. It has been established that deprivation arises when vital needs remain unmet over an extended period, exerting a negative impact on personality development at various levels of the organisation and across multiple domains of life. It hindered adaptive tendencies in individuals facing adverse living conditions. The study revealed that temporality is a crucial structural component of self-awareness in individuals in residential institutions. The relationship between deprivation and adaptation processes was described. It was noted that deprivation can manifest both as a process and as a consequence of prolonged unmet fundamental needs within institutional settings. The findings may serve as a foundation for developing a systemic approach to strategies aimed at integrating residential institution inhabitants into society. Additionally, they can be applied by psychologists, social workers, and other institutional staff to foster independent living skills and enhance quality of life