Introduction
We all go through life transitions, events that cause us to change our daily lives and routines. Some of these changes are positive, like getting married (well, I thought that was positive until I got divorced!) or having children (despite it's challenges!). Others can be more difficult, like becoming a parent or entering retirement. My goal here is not just to inform you about the various life transitions that we all face throughout our lives, but also to help you understand their importance, how they affect us psychologically and emotionally (and physically), and ultimately how best to deal with them as they happen.
There are Many Life Transitions that can Affect People
As we get older, it's normal to go through changes. These changes don't have to be dramatic or earth-shattering, but they can still impact the way that you feel and act. Some common life transitions include birth and infancy, transitioning to adulthood, the empty-nest syndrome, a midlife crisis and retirement, to name a few.
What is Lifespan Development?
Lifespan development is the study of the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur in individuals throughout their lives. It encompasses the study of development from conception to death and it encompasses the study of changes that occur across the entire lifespan. It includes both the study of universal patterns of development that are common to all individuals, as well as the study of individual differences in development.
Researchers in the field of lifespan development use a variety of methods, such as observational studies, surveys, and experiments, to study a wide range of topics, including physical growth and maturation, cognitive development, social and emotional development, personality development, and aging.
The field of lifespan development draws on theories and research from many different disciplines, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, biology, and neuroscience.
Erik Erikson was a German-born American developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst known for his theory of psychosocial development. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1902 and died in Massachusetts, USA in 1994. He is best known for his theory of the eight stages of human development, which he outlined in his book "Childhood and Society" (1950).
Erikson's theory emphasised the role of social and cultural factors in shaping the development of an individual's personality. His theory is used in the field of psychology, particularly in the areas of child development and adult development. He also wrote many other books and articles on the topics of identity, psychosocial development, and the human life cycle.
Eight Stages of LIfespan Development
Erik Erikson developed a theory of psychosocial development that included eight stages:
Trust vs. Mistrust (birth to 18 months)
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (18 months to 3 years)
Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to 6 years)
Industry vs. Inferiority (6 to puberty)
Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence)
Intimacy vs. Isolation (early adulthood)
Generativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood)
Ego Integrity vs. Despair (late adulthood)
Each stage was characterised by a specific psychosocial crisis that must be resolved in order for the individual to move on to the next stage.
This article will focus on lifespan development from the teenage years to the twilight years (i.e., stages five to eight).
Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development is called "Identity vs. Role Confusion," it takes place during adolescence. It typically occurs between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age. During this stage, we explore our sense of self and their place in the world. They begin to question their beliefs, values, and goals. They try different roles and identities in order to find one that feels like a good fit.
At this stage, adolescents struggle to establish a sense of identity, which includes figuring out who they are and what they want to be. A strong sense of identity is associated with purpose and direction in life, while a weak sense of identity is associated with confusion and aimlessness.
If individuals successfully navigate this stage, they will develop a sense of self-awareness and self-confidence. This will help them make better decisions and navigate the challenges of adulthood.
If we don't successfully navigate this stage, we may experience role confusion. Role confusion occurs when we don't know who we are and what we want to do. This can lead to feelings of insecurity and uncertainty. It can lead to poor decision-making and a lack of direction in life.
During this stage, parents, peers, and other role models are important in helping adolescents explore different identities and find one that feels like a good fit. Supportive adults can provide guidance, feedback, and a safe space for adolescents to explore different identities and make sense of their experiences.
This stage can often be challenging for adolescents transitioning to adulthood and their parents. Adolescents can be perceived as rebellious as they struggle to achieve more autonomy. Parents who do not understand this stage of development can continue to parent them like children. Parents can make this stage more challenging for everyone by not allowing appropriate autonomy. They can even contribute to their adolescent child becoming rebellious. Likewise, adolescents can be helped to navigate this stage better by taking a more adult approach to engaging in effective communication with their parents.
Intimacy vs. Isolation (Early Adulthood)
Erik Erikson's stage of psychosocial development, called "Intimacy vs. Isolation", takes place during early adulthood, typically between the ages of 18 and 40. During this stage, individuals focus on developing close, intimate relationships with others. They seek out romantic partners, friends, and other people to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with. They also begin to form a sense of community and may become involved in groups or organisations that align with their values and interests.
At this stage, individuals struggle to form close, intimate relationships with others. If they successfully navigate this stage, they will develop a sense of intimacy and connectedness with others. They will also develop a sense of self-awareness, which will help them communicate effectively and empathise with others. They will also experience emotional security, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging.
However, if they don't successfully navigate this stage, they may experience isolation, feel disconnected from others, and have difficulty forming close relationships. They may also struggle with feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem and self-worth.
Within this stage lie substages, which include:
Identity formation: The first period of adolescence (12–18 years old) is characterised by an internal search for personal beliefs and values; whether or not you find yourself makes up this stage
Identity crisis: In the second period (18–25 years old), one's identity becomes clearer and more stable but may still shift over time
Identity achievement: The third stage (26–45 years old) involves working toward goals that support one’s sense of self while developing an intuitive understanding of who we are.
This stage is influenced by the previous stages of development and cultural and societal factors. People who have developed a strong sense of self and a positive self-image from previous stages are more likely to form healthy and fulfilling relationships during this stage. Additionally, societal norms and expectations regarding relationships and intimacy can shape an individual's experience of this stage.
Empty Nest Syndrome
As adolescents transition to adulthood and spend less time at home, even moving out of home, parents can face 'empty nest syndrome'. Traditionally, this probably affected mothers more, especially when motherhood was their sole role. These days, as gender roles change, I find some men are experiencing a sense of loss as their adult children leave the home.
Empty nest syndrome is common among parents whose children have moved out of the house. Feelings of sadness, loss and grief characterise it. Empty nesters may feel that they have lost their purpose in life and might experience anxiety about retirement or loneliness in their newfound time alone.
Dealing with empty nest syndrome can be difficult because it has a variety of causes: some people miss having someone around to care for; others feel lonely without small children; others may miss having young adults at home who are still dependent on them for guidance and support. If you're experiencing empty nest syndrome, there are several ways you can cope:
Assess your current situation—your new freedom may come as a shock if you aren't prepared for it! Take some time to consider what changes this will mean for your family's lifestyle going forward.
Consider discussing how family members could help each other during this transition (for example, by taking turns inviting friends over).
Remember your spouse’s needs and yours—many couples find that sharing responsibilities helps them adjust better than when they do everything themselves.
Don't forget about yourself—taking care of yourself physically through exercise or other activities will help prevent depression symptoms from developing into something more serious in the future.
Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)
Erik Erikson's stage of psychosocial development, called "Generativity vs. Stagnation", takes place during middle adulthood, typically between the ages of 40 and 65. During this stage, individuals ideally focus on contributing to the next generation and society. They may become involved in mentoring, teaching, or community service and begin to think about their legacy and how they want to be remembered.
At this stage, individuals struggle to find a sense of purpose and meaning in life. If they successfully navigate this stage, they will develop a sense of generativity.
Generativity is characterised by the desire to create and care for the next generation, to leave a positive impact on society and the world, and to make a difference in the lives of others. They will also have a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment as they have found a way to give back to society and leave behind a legacy.
However, if they don't successfully navigate this stage, they may experience stagnation, characterised by a feeling of being unproductive, unfulfilled and disconnected from the next generation. They may also experience feelings of self-doubt, regret, and a sense of lack of accomplishment.
The previous stages of development influence this stage. People who have developed a strong sense of self, have a positive self-image and have formed healthy relationships with others from previous stages are more likely to find a sense of purpose and meaning in life during this stage. Again, societal expectations regarding aging and retirement can shape an individual's experience of this stage.
Midlife Crisis
People often refer to a crisis at this stage as a midlife crisis. This is a term used to describe a psychological state that occurs in middle age. It's characterised by emptiness, dissatisfaction and/or restlessness. A person may feel like they have reached a point where they no longer know who they are or what they want out of life.
In this state, people often look back on their lives and question whether their choices were right for them, including their career path, who they married, how many children they had, etc.
Some people look back on their lives with regret, while others actually see it as an opportunity for growth and change.
Ego Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood)
The final stage of psychosocial development is "Ego Integrity vs. Despair". It takes place during late adulthood, typically after the age of 65 years. During this stage, individuals reflect on their lives and make sense of their experiences. They look back on their lives and evaluate their accomplishments, regrets, and missed opportunities. They may also begin to think about their own mortality and accept that their time on earth is limited.
At this stage, individuals struggle to achieve a sense of ego integrity.
Ego integrity is characterised by a sense of wholeness, unity, and a positive self-evaluation of one's life. If we successfully navigate this stage, we will develop a sense of ego integrity, characterised by satisfaction and contentment with our lives. We will have a sense of wisdom, understanding and a sense of acceptance of our own limitations and mortality. We will come to terms with our good and bad life experiences and have developed a sense of peace and acceptance.
However, if we don't successfully navigate this stage, we may experience despair, which is characterised by feelings of disappointment, dissatisfaction, and regret, with a sense of lack of accomplishment and a negative self-evaluation of one's life. We may also experience feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, and may struggle to find meaning and purpose in life.
Once again, this stage is influenced by the previous stages of development and cultural and societal factors. People who have successfully navigated the previous stages have a sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance and have formed healthy relationships with others are more likely to achieve a sense of ego integrity during this stage.
Retirement
This stage of life is usually when people engage in retirement. This can be a stressful time, especially if we do not plan for it.
It is a time to relax and reflect on our life. It's a time to pursue hobbies, spend time with family, travel, and meet new people. As much as retirement might seem like the perfect time for relaxation and reflection, however, it might not turn out exactly as you'd hoped. It can be a very stressful transition.
Why does retirement cause so much stress? Maybe it's because there are no rules about what retirees should do daily. Maybe it's because retirees often have more free time than ever before and aren't exactly sure how best to use that time. Too much time and rumination can also lead us to feel lost and depressed. Work does provide a purpose in life and routine. When we retire, we must find a new purpose and routine.
To cope with this transition. Stay active! Get out into the community or join clubs related to your interests (e.g., playing tennis). Of course, there will still be some days where getting up early feels like too much effort, but hopefully, sleeping in won't become a habit."
How can a Psychologist Help?
Psychologists can help you with lifespan development in several ways. We can provide assessment and evaluation of an individual's development at different stages of life, and also provide interventions to help with any difficulties that may arise.
Assessment: Psychologists can use a variety of tools and methods, such as interviews, questionnaires, and observation, to assess an individual's development at different stages of life. This can help identify areas of strength and areas that may need improvement.
Diagnosis: Psychologists can use their assessment skills to diagnose any developmental disorders, such as autism, ADHD, and learning disorders. They can also provide a diagnosis for any mental health issues that may arise during different stages of life, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Counselling and Therapy: Psychologists can provide counselling and therapy to help individuals navigate the challenges of different life stages. They can help individuals develop better-coping skills, improve their relationships, and increase their overall health and well-being.
Support and Guidance: Psychologists can provide support and guidance to individuals and families as they navigate different stages of life. They can help individuals set goals, make decisions, and develop a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Educational and Career Guidance: Psychologists can help individuals make informed decisions about their education and career choices and also help them identify their strengths and interests.
Research: Psychologists also conduct research on lifespan development, studying the patterns and processes of growth and change throughout the life span. They can use this research to inform interventions and policies promoting healthy development for individuals and communities.
Overall, psychologists can play an important role in helping individuals navigate the challenges of lifespan development and achieve a sense of well-being and fulfilment throughout their lives.
Psychologists are trained to help people adjust to these kinds of changes successfully!
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that life transitions are normal and healthy. You don’t have to go through them alone! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by any of these changes, contact a friend or family member who can help support you through the process. Seeking a psychologist for independent professional support can also be very helpful.
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(c) 2023 Dean Harrison