1. Erickson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

2. Origin of Theory
Erikson studied Freud’s Psychoanalysis Theory under Freud’s daughter, Anna
Expansion of Freud’s concept of ego
Only developmental theory that extends from childhood through adulthood
Sources: London, Ladewig, Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2011
McEwen & Wills, 2007

3. Theory Overview
Eight stages of psychosocial development with an identified challenge to be mastered
As each challenge is mastered strengths are gained contributing to character and health
Development is primarily qualitative - occurring in stages
Also quantitative because one’s identity becomes stronger with mastery of challenges
Nature determines the sequence of stages
Must pass through one stage prior to entering next stage
Sources: Sharkey, 1997
Tomey-Marriner, 1989

4. Erikson’s Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development
Stage (Age)
Crisis
I Infancy (0-1 )
II Toddler (2-3)
III Preschooler (3-6)
IV School-age (7-12)
V Adolescence (12-18)
VI Young Adult (20’s)
VII Middle Adult (up to 50)
VIII Old Adult (≥ 50)
Trust vs.. Mistrust
Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt
Initiative vs. Guilt
Industry vs. Inferiority
Ego Identity vs. Role Confusion
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Generativity vs. Self-absorption
Integrity vs. Despair
Source: Boeree, 2006

5. Application to Nursing Practice
Directly applicable to nursing care of children
Health promotion & maintenance visits help caregivers meet child’s needs
Educate parents to identify normal tasks
Educate parents to encourage healthy development
Provides framework to assess hospitalized child & provide care to ensure progression through the developmental stages
Source: London, et al., 2011

6. Application to Nursing Practice
Integral to holistic nursing
Essential in assessment to determine age appropriateness or arrested development of patients
Results of ego strengths evaluation used by nurses for assessment and treatment outcomes
Ego strengths used by nurses to empower patients to take control of their lives
Source: McEwen & Wills, 2007

7. Application to Research
Research studies were conducted in the following areas:
Impact of diabetes on the development of psychosocial maturity and the older adult
How school age children deal with disaster
Self-care practices of adolescents
Concept of generativity in middle-aged women attending graduate school
Source: McEwen & Wills, 2007

8. Application to Personal Nursing Practice
I personally use Erickson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development each time I am in the clinical area with students. A section of the assessment tool that we use is devoted to assessing the psychosocial issues of the assigned patient. I use this information to identify the patient’s strengths & weaknesses. When planning care, I capitalize on the strengths to assist the patient promote recovery/health maintenance and promotion.

9. Application to Personal Nursing Practice
I use Erikson’s Theory during patient and family education. I have to assess where the patients are mentally and their ability to understand information provided. The case managers are requested to assess how well information is understood by requesting the patients provide feedback; asking questions to assess patient understanding of disease process and the discharge planning needs. My experience as an RN Case Manager has allowed me to care for many patients at all stages of Erikson’s Psychosocial Development scale.