Introduction
This essay will analyze Sarah’s (a 67-year-old woman seeking a meaningful life review) lifetime interview through the lens of Erikson’s psychosocial Theory. Before discussing her DABDA mourning process following her husband’s death, we will examine her successful and poor responses to Erikson’s eight psychosocial stages. Throughout the article, we will reference specific points from the interview recordings and provide Sarah with solutions to help her cope with her loss.
Erickson’s Eight Psychosocial Theory
Trust vs Mistrust
Sarah now needed to gain the confidence of her primary caregivers. The fact that she spoke highly of her parents and emphasized their close relationship bodes well. On the flip side, Sarah was also told about the inconsistent and abusive treatment she had as a child, which made her distrustful of anyone close to her (Samsanovich, 2021). Some unresolved distrust lingered, impacting subsequent encounters despite her professed confidence.
Autonomy vs shame and doubt
Sarah remembered being a curious and independent toddler. This phase came to a satisfying finish because she communicated the love and encouragement her parents had for her growing independence. But Sarah remembered times when her parents were too judgmental, and it made her feel bad about herself. In certain situations, her sense of self-worth was impacted by these unresolved matters.
Initiative vs guilt
At this point, Sarah expressed her desire to be proactive and creative, which is indicative of a good resolution. She showed signs of good initiative development, such as fond recollections of doing new activities and getting her parents’ OK. On the other hand, Sarah did talk about instances when she felt bad about herself because her parents had forbade various behaviors. These unresolved emotions may have influenced her subsequent decisions.
Industry vs. Inferiority
Sarah indicated that this stage was finished by talking about her academic and extracurricular achievements during her school years. Her achievements brought her joy. While comparing herself to others, she confessed that she had moments of self-doubt. These unresolved feelings of inadequacy may have influenced her adult self-concept.
Identity vs. Role Confusion
Sarah developed a unique identity while exploring her sense of self throughout this stage. By opening up about her profession, her ideals, and her life ambitions, she demonstrated that she had successfully resolved. On the other hand, she did discuss times of doubt and confusion in her early adulthood that caused her to investigate and question herself further. While these unresolved difficulties helped her grow as an individual, they also left her exposed at times.
Intimacy vs Isolation
Sarah finished this phase by talking about her marriage, friendships, and significant relationships. The emotional connection and strong relationships she had brought her joy, she said. On the other hand, she acknowledged that she still struggles with unresolved issues of intimacy and admits to having specific fears as a result of past traumas.
Generativity vs stagnation
Sarah exemplified generativity by highlighting the ways in which she has helped her loved ones and the community. It seemed like being a mother and a grandmother were her happy places. On the other hand, she expressed concerns about missed opportunities and regrets, which could be seen as feelings of stuckness that have not been addressed.
Ego Integrity vs Despair
Sarah, who was in her late twenties, seemed happy and at peace with her life. She demonstrated a successful resolution of ego integrity by discussing her accomplishments and the lessons she had learned. Nevertheless, she did reveal certain unresolved aspects of her Despair when she periodically voiced melancholy and concern about aging.
Stages of Grieving
Denial: Sarah initially struggled to accept her husband’s death and attempted to run away from the reality of his absence through denial. As she endured her pain, she sought comfort in remembering the good times they had shared (Tyrrell et al.., 2023).
Anger: Sarah’s angry and irritated reaction to her loss occurred after the initial shock had worn off. When she needed to deal with her feelings, she would go for walks or tend to her garden.
Bargaining: As a bargaining chip, Sarah sought solace in fantasizing about alternate realities in which she and her husband had spent more time together. She turned to her faith and joined support groups for solace.
Depression: Sadness and emptiness consumed Sarah as she struggled with depression. She overcame it by seeking expert counseling and having open conversations about her emotions with loved ones.
Acceptance: Loss is a part of life, and Sarah learned to accept it as she went along. She triumphed by focusing on strengthening relationships with those she cared about and engaging in pursuits that brought her joy.
Conclusion
Throughout Sarah’s lifecycle interview, Erikson’s psychological stages were addressed, some well and others not. Sarah’s upbringing shaped her maturation and provided the tools she needed to solve problems at each developmental milestone. Her resilience and willingness to seek assistance were on display in the ways she dealt with her loss. Insight into Sarah’s path may help her grow and accept the difficulties and importance of her life.
References
Samsanovich, A. (2021). Theory and diversity: A descriptive study of Erikson’s psychosocial development stages. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1230/
Tyrrell, P., Harberger, S., Schoo, C., & Siddiqui, W. (2023). Kubler-Ross Stages of Dying and Subsequent Models of Grief. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507885/
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