What is the primary developmental challenge faced by older adults over 65 according to Erikson's theory?

In Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, the primary developmental challenge faced by older adults, particularly those over 65, is the struggle between integrity and despair. During this stage of development, individuals reflect on their lives and evaluate their past experiences.

The concept of integrity refers to the acceptance of one's life as having been meaningful and fulfilling, leading to feelings of wisdom and contentment. When older adults achieve a sense of integrity, they tend to feel a sense of completeness regarding their life journey. On the other hand, despair arises when individuals look back and feel regret or disappointment as they assess their life; this can lead to feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

This developmental stage encourages older adults to find a sense of coherence and purpose in their lives, which contributes significantly to their overall psychological well-being. The emphasis is on looking back at one's life narrative and reconciling any unresolved issues, thereby allowing the individual to approach the end of life with a sense of peace.

Other options represent challenges faced in earlier stages of development: generativity versus stagnation relates to middle adulthood, identity versus role confusion pertains to adolescence, and intimacy versus isolation focuses on young adulthood. These stages highlight important developmental tasks suited to those respective life stages rather than the reflective