" (2013, pp.1) When we are at this age we will first start to experience relationships. these relationships will be formed with someone who isn't family. If this goes well we can see the person be comfortable in relationships and safety, however if someone avoids this it can lead an individual to loneliness and isolation. For healthcare professionals they can then underpin as to why an individual in this stage may be depresses, feel lonely of isolated, resulting in them getting the care they need.
The next psychosocial development is generativity vs. stagnation. McLeod states "During middle adulthood (ages 40 to 65 yrs), we establish our careers, settle down within a relationship, begin our own families and develop a sense of being a part of the bigger picture. We give back to society through raising our children, being productive at work, and becoming involved in community activities and organizations. By failing to achieve these objectives, we become stagnant and feel unproductive. Success in this stage will lead to the virtue of care." (2013, pp.1) As we get to this age we then settle down, have families and have a steady job, because of having a family to look after we then get the virtue of care, however if we do not do any of these we feel down and unproductive within our lives. When healthcare professionals get to know a patients background they can then understand, baring this theory in mind as to why an individual may seem unproductive and stagnant. .
The last psychosocial development is ego integrity vs. despair. McLeod states "As we grow older (65+ yrs) and become senior citizens, we tend to slow down our productivity, and explore life as a retired person. It is during this time that we contemplate our accomplishments and are able to develop integrity if we see ourselves as leading a successful life. Erik Erikson believed if we see our lives as unproductive, feel guilt about our past, or feel that we did not accomplish our life goals, we become dissatisfied with life and develop despair, often leading to depression and hopelessness.
