Question

You have a 72-year-old patient who has been very concerned with her appearance since you met her. She has had three facelifts, never leaves the house without makeup, and refuses to allow her grandchildren to call her "grandmother." Which of the following of Erikson's stages is this woman having difficulty mastering?

A. Identity vs. Role Confusion
B. Generativity vs. Stagnation
C. Integrity vs. Despair
D. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Answer 1

The 72-year-old patient is likely struggling with Erikson's stage of Integrity vs. Despair, where the challenge in late adulthood is to achieve a sense of satisfaction with life's accomplishments rather than feeling regret and despair.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient in question appears to be having difficulty mastering the stage of Integrity vs. Despair, which is part of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. According to Erikson, this stage typically occurs during late adulthood, from the mid-60s on. The challenge for individuals at this stage is to look back on their life and feel a sense of satisfaction and integrity, as opposed to feeling regret and despair. If one has lived a life they feel proud of, they achieve integrity. If they look back with many regrets and what-ifs, they may experience despair. The behavior described suggests a difficulty in accepting aging and could represent a defense against feelings of despair.