Which age group is most affected by Erickson’s stage of ego integrity vs despair?

The stage of ego integrity vs. despair is specifically associated with older adulthood, typically considered to begin around the age of 65. This stage is the eighth and final stage in Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory. During this period, individuals reflect on their lives, evaluating their accomplishments and failures. Successful resolution of this stage leads to a sense of ego integrity, where a person feels satisfied with their life and has a sense of fulfillment. Conversely, those who struggle in this stage may experience despair, regret, and dissatisfaction regarding their life choices and experiences.

This focus on reflection and evaluation heavily relates to the aging process, where individuals confront the reality of life’s end and seek to make peace with their existence. Other age groups, such as infants, preschoolers, and adolescents, are engaged in earlier stages of development that revolve around trust, autonomy, identity, and intimacy, which do not connect with the themes of ego integrity and despair. Therefore, older adults are the age group most influenced by this stage, leading to the conclusion that this option is the most accurate.