According to Erikson, which of the following is seen as the last stage in psychosocial development?

• A. ego integrity vs despair
• B. trust vs mistrust
• C. intimacy vs isolation
• D. autonomy vs shame and doubt

Answer: (A)

In late adulthood, Erikson places the final psychosocial task as achieving a sense of integrity through reflecting on one’s life. Ego integrity means feeling that one’s life has been meaningful, coherent, and worth living, with acceptance of how it unfolded. Despair arises when a person looks back with regrets, unresolved regrets, and a sense that life was wasted, leading to fear of death and dissatisfaction. This stage brings together the experiences from earlier crises and shapes how a person faces the end of life. In practice, you can support clients by facilitating life review, validating accomplishments, and helping address unfinished business to cultivate a sense of integrity.