According to Erikson's stages of development, what are older individuals chiefly concerned with?

In Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, older individuals primarily focus on the stage of integrity versus despair. During this stage, which typically occurs in late adulthood, individuals reflect on their lives and evaluate their experiences. The central concern for older adults is whether they feel a sense of fulfillment and completion regarding their life journey.

Achieving integrity involves coming to terms with one's life choices, successes, and failures. Individuals who feel satisfied and proud of their contributions to society and their loved ones achieve a sense of dignity and completeness. In contrast, those who look back on their lives with regret or a sense of unfulfillment may experience despair.

This focus on integrity underscores the importance of reflection and self-assessment in the later stages of life, highlighting how personal narratives and life stories contribute to an individual’s overall sense of well-being and peace in old age.