At what stage does a person face the challenge of 'Ego Integrity vs Despair'?

The challenge of 'Ego Integrity vs Despair' occurs during older adulthood, which typically refers to the stage of life when individuals are reflecting on their lives and contemplating their accomplishments and experiences. According to Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory, this stage is characterized by the struggle to find a sense of fulfillment and acceptance regarding one's life journey.

In this stage, individuals often evaluate whether they feel satisfied with the life they've led or if they have regrets and unfulfilled aspirations. If they feel a sense of pride and completeness, they achieve ego integrity, leading to wisdom and contentment. On the other hand, if they look back with feelings of regret and despair over missed opportunities, they may struggle with feelings of bitterness and disappointment.

This concept is distinct from earlier stages of development, such as those seen in adolescence, early adulthood, or middle adulthood, which focus on issues like identity formation, intimacy, and generativity, respectively. The unique aspects of older adulthood involve a comprehensive review of one's life and preparing for the end, making the challenge of 'Ego Integrity vs Despair' specifically relevant to this life stage.