Concept

Stage 8 of Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development

The final stage of Erikson's theory, known as integrity versus despair, occurs during late adulthood, from age 65 until the end of life. In this period, individuals reflect on their lives to determine if they feel a sense of satisfaction or failure. A successful resolution to this conflict results in a sense of integrity, where individuals feel proud of their accomplishments and have few regrets. Conversely, an unsuccessful resolution leads to despair, characterized by feelings that one's life was wasted, a focus on regrets, and emotions of bitterness and depression.

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Updated 2026-05-02

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