Psychosocial Tasks of the Elderly : A Reconsideration of the Eighth Stage of Erikson's Epigenetic Scheme

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  • 老年期における心理社会的課題の特質 : Eriksonによる精神分析的個体発達分化の図式第VIII段階の再検討
  • 老年期における心理社会的課題の特質--Erikson による精神分析的個体発達分化の図式 第8段階の再検討
  • ロウネンキ ニ オケル シンリ シャカイテキ カダイ ノ トクシツ Erikson ニ ヨル セイシン ブンセキテキ コタイ ハッタツ ブンカ ノ ズシキ ダイ8 ダンカイ ノ サイケントウ

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Abstract

This study investigated the eight psychosocial tasks of the epigenetic scheme in a sample of elderly Japanese, and compared the tasks to those outlined by Erikson, Erikson, and Kivnick (1986). Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 20 Japanese (11 males and 9 females, age range=65-86, mean age=74.15, SD=5.59) using the same method as in Erikson et al. Qualitative analyses revealed that all psychosocial tasks of the elderly were structured as positive (syntonic), negative (dystonic), and neutral. The following psychosocial tasks were revealed: integrity vs. denial/regret (VIII), grand-generativity vs. distance between generations/denial of influence by younger generation (VII), relationship continuity vs. relationship cessation when in crisis (VI), firm self vs. wavering self (V), pleasure vs. inferiority complex (IV), challenge vs. loss of purpose (III), internal/external ego autonomy vs. renouncement of ego autonomy (II), and appreciation vs. mistrust (I). These findings suggest that although there are variations among elderly individuals, they change the meanings of their various activities and relationships to emphasize maintenance over progression of activities/relationships. In addition, they review their life experiences to create a new self.

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