Erikson - Integrity vs Despair
At this poin
t in the lifespan, we come to Erik Erikson's (1968) ninth and final stage of human development and its key psychosocial crisis: integrity vs despair.
A key characteristic of this stage is a confrontation with mortality - the realisation of the imminence of death. During this period, the older adult begins looking back over his or her life and attempt to tie up loose ends - is he or she satisfied with decisions made in the past and the path taken?
If the older adult is able to resolve this crisis - i.e. he or she can look back at the past contentedly and without major regret - Erikson's (1968) model would say that some level of integrity has been achieved. There is a sense of fulfillment and peace. On the other hand, despair is characterised by unrealised dreams and dissatisfaction with life. It must be noted that an older adult does not experience just one or the other - there will likely be phases of experiencing both integrity and despair at different points during this stage of development.