What leads to feelings of bitterness in older adults during the ego integrity stage?

In the ego integrity stage, which is part of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, older adults reflect on their lives and evaluate their experiences. Feelings of bitterness can stem from a sense of failure when individuals look back and perceive their lives as having been unfulfilling, marked by missed opportunities, regrets, or unresolved conflicts. When people enter this stage, they seek to feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, and if they instead feel that they have not achieved their goals or have not lived a meaningful life, this can lead to feelings of regret and bitterness.

This notion ties closely into the development of ego integrity, where achieving a sense of acceptance and wisdom about one’s life is crucial. Conversely, failing to achieve this can result in a range of negative emotions, including bitterness, as they come to terms with their life’s narrative. While community support, social connections, and financial stability can certainly influence well-being in older adults, the pivotal aspect that directly leads to feelings of bitterness during this stage is fundamentally linked to the personal reflection and assessment of life achievements, which revolves around that sense of failure.