An older adult tells the nurse, “I regret many of the choices I have made during my life.” Which of

An older adult tells the nurse, “I regret many of the choices I have made during my life.” Which of Erikson’s developmental conflicts does the nurse identify that the client has probably failed to accomplish?

 1. Ego integrity versus despair

2. Identity versus role confusion

3. Generativity versus stagnation

4. Autonomy versus shame and doubt

Answer

Considering Erikson’s psychosocial development model, this older adult is probably dealing with the dilemma of ego integrity versus despair because it is one of the final stages in late adulthood. The older adult is demonstrating despair, not ego integrity, with his or her regret of many choices made through life. Ego integrity refers to the ability of an individual accepting his or her life path with a satisfying sense and purpose. Despair means regret, failure and a feeling of hopelessness about the life they have lived.

At the end of life, people think back and seek meaning. People who reach the ego integrity can perceive their life as positive even with all imperfections and mistakes. They have wisdom and tolerance. Older adults feeling despair focus on disappointments and missed opportunities. They are unable to make peace with the past in a way that makes them happy. This client is also obviously struggling with an attempt to find ego integrity and may require assistance in regrets processing again, aiming at greater life satisfaction or inner peace. The nurse can, therefore, help the client to look at the past with a wider perspective in an empathetic and encouraging way.