The Prediction of Ego Integrity in Older Persons

Abstract

This study examined the extent to which the resolution of the Eriksonian final stage-related crisis of ego integrity versus despair is predicted by the resolution of earlier stage-related crises and by non-Eriksonian personality constructs. Subjects were administered an Eriksonian life stage measure called the Inventory of Psychosocial Balance, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Purpose-in-Life Scale, and the Self-Realization Scale. A series of alternative and hierarchically nested regression models was run to assess the direct effects of all preceding Eriksonian life stages and the non-Eriksonian personality measures on the final stage of ego integrity. The results were consistent with Eriksonian theory, which states that personality development is a continuous process in which psychosocial growth during earlier phases of life is a prerequisite for the resolution of later developmental conflicts.

Ego Integrity in the Lives of Older Women: A Follow-Up of Mothers From the Sears, Maccoby, and Levin (1951) Patterns of Child Rearing Study

“…In all the cross sectional studies surveyed here, scales assessing prior stages were significantly related to EI, with generativity being the most important predictor (Gruen, 1964;Hannah et al, 1996;Ryff & Heincke, 1983). Longitudinal studies confirm the sequential nature of the theory up to the stage of Generativity (see for example, Stewart, Osborne, & Helson, 2001;Vaillant, 1993;Vaillant & Milofsky, 1980).…”

“…Most importantly, generativity appears to be enhanced by a strong sense of self (identity), and is itself the most important predictor of EI for this sample. While Eriksonian theory would predict that EI is preceded by generative concern, and other studies have confirmed its importance for EI (Hannah et al, 1996;Tesch, 1985), it is unknown whether our findings would be replicated in a less healthy sample, more diverse samples, in older women (or men) who never married or had children, nor in later generations.…”

“…First, there is not strong support for the view that EI increases with age (Hannah et al, 1996;Ryff & Heincke, 1983;Tesch, 1985;Whitbourne et al, 1992), although this may have to do with the fact that the age ranges in most of these studies are rather narrow. Ryff and Heincke (1983), however, found that all age groups perceive people in later life as more likely to manifest the characteristics of EI than do people at younger ages and stages.…”

“…So far, none of these studies has found significant sex differences (Darling-Fisher & Leidy, 1988;Hannah et al, 1996;Ryff & Heincke, 1983;Tesch, 1985). On the basis of these findings, it appears to have relevance to men's and women's lives.…”

The Relation of Ego Integrity and Despair to Personality Traits and Mental Health

“…Cross-sectional studies have indeed shown a relation of ego integrity with generativity and identity (Domino & Affonso, 1990;Hannah, Domino, Figueredo, & Hendrickson, 1996;Ryff & Heincke, 1983;Webster, 2003). Longitudinal studies also found that ego integrity is related to the resolution of the identity crisis 45 years earlier in life (James & Zarrett, 2005) and to generativity 9 years earlier (Torges, Stewart, & Duncan, 2008).…”