"Naming it Improves the Story": An Inclusive Study of Life Experiences in Borderline Intellectual Functioning.

Borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) describes a large but under-recognized population who often experience significant everyday difficulties while remaining excluded from diagnostic and support systems. Despite growing evidence on cognitive and adaptive profiles, a minimal amount is known about how individuals with BIF understand their own lives. This study aimed to explore these experiences using an inclusive qualitative approach. Twenty-five adults with BIF participated in seven group interviews, analyzed through Reflexive Thematic Analysis within a collaborative framework involving re