In this essay, we will use Erikson’s psychosocial theory to evaluate Sarah, a 67-year-old woman looking for a meaningful life review, during her lifespan interview. We will look at how she dealt with each of Erikson’s eight psychosocial stages—both successfully and unsuccessfully—before talking about how she handled the stages of grieving (DABDA) after losing her husband. We will share particular information from the interview videos throughout the essay and offer suggestions to assist Sarah in dealing with her loss.
Stage 1: Trust vs. Mistrust
At this point, Sarah had to work on earning the trust of her primary carers. She praised her parents and highlighted a strong bond, which suggested a favorable outcome. On the other hand, the mistreatment and inconsistent treatment Sarah experienced as a child were also shared with her, which occasionally led to mistrust in close relationships. Although she showed much trust, some unresolved mistrust persisted, affecting later encounters.
Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Sarah recalled her toddler years as a time of independence and curiosity. She conveyed her parents’ support for her independence, which helped to bring this stage to a good conclusion. However, Sarah identified instances where her parents were unduly critical, resulting in embarrassment and self-doubt. These unsolved issues affected her sense of self-worth in some circumstances.
Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
Sarah talked about wanting to be inventive and proactive at this stage, which denotes a successful resolution. She had happy memories of doing different things and asking her parents for permission, indicating healthy initiative growth. However, Sarah described times when she felt guilty because her parents had prevented her from engaging in certain habits. These unresolved emotions might have affected her choices in the future.
Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority
Sarah mentioned her school years’ scholastic and extracurricular successes, indicating that this stage had been completed. She took satisfaction in her accomplishments. She also admitted to self-doubt, particularly when comparing herself to others. It is possible that these unresolved inferiority complexes had an impact on her adult self-concept.
Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion
Sarah investigated her concept of self and created a distinct persona throughout this phase. She discussed her life goals, personal values, and work, demonstrating a successful resolution. However, she also spoke about periods of uncertainty and turmoil in her early adulthood that prompted some self-exploration and -questioning. These unsolved issues aided her personal development but occasionally made her vulnerable.
Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation
This step was completed when Sarah discussed her marriage, friendships, and important relationships. She expressed happiness with her tight relationships and the emotional closeness she had. However, she also admitted to having certain insecurities and reluctance to open out to people due to prior traumas, showing issues with intimacy that have not yet been healed.
Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Sarah displayed generativity by talking about her contributions to her community and family. She appeared content in her roles as a grandmother and a mother. However, she also voiced worries about regrets and squandered possibilities, implying unresolved sentiments of stagnation.
Stage 8: Ego Integrity vs. Despair
As she neared her late twenties, Sarah expressed a sense of contentment and acceptance with her life. She talked about her successes and the lessons she had learned, demonstrating a successful ego integrity resolution. However, she occasionally expressed sadness and worry about becoming older, exposing some unresolved components of despair.
Kubler-Ross: Stages of Grieving (DABDA)
Denial: Sarah first found it difficult to accept her husband’s death, trying to escape the truth of his absence. She found solace in cherishing memories as she suffered by thinking back on their past together.
Anger: As the shock subsided, Sarah became irate and frustrated by her loss. She dealt by releasing her emotions through physical activity, such as gardening or walking.
Bargaining: To find comfort, Sarah thought back on the times she might have had with her husband and envisioned alternative outcomes. She sought peace in her faith and participated in support groups as a coping mechanism.
Depression: Sarah was filled with deep sadness and emptiness. She dealt with it by talking honestly about her feelings with close friends and family members and going to a professional counselor.
Acceptance: Sarah gradually came to the realization that loss is an inevitable part of life. She overcame by concentrating on creating deep bonds with her loved ones and taking part in activities that made her happy.
Conclusion
Erikson’s psychosocial stages were successfully and unsuccessfully resolved throughout Sarah’s lifespan interview. Sarah’s life experiences influenced her development and helped her come up with a particular set of solutions at each stage. Her coping mechanisms during the grief process also demonstrated her strength and openness to getting help. Sarah may continue to develop and accept the challenges and significance of her life by comprehending her journey.
References
Samsanovich, A. (2021). Theory and diversity: A descriptive study of Erikson’s psychosocial development stages.
Tyrrell, P., Harberger, S., Schoo, C., & Siddiqui, W. (2023). Kubler-Ross Stages of Dying and Subsequent Models of Grief. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
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