Causes of Depression - Integrity
vs. Despair
Erik Erikson theorized developmental stages throughout the lifespan. The later stage, integrity vs. despair is the stage when the elder’s task is to find meaning, hope and satisfaction about one’s life. When this task is successful, previous events are reconciled, resulting in a sense of integrity and purpose. Depression is proposed to occur when the older person does not believe they ever accomplished anything of value during their lives and despair, dread, and hopelessness emerge.
