ASWB LCSW Social Work Clinical Practice Exam

What primary emotional concern is faced during the stage of Ego Integrity vs. Despair?

1. Feelings of pride

2. Feelings of regret

3. Feelings of freedom

4. Feelings of confusion

The correct answer is: Feelings of regret

During the stage of Ego Integrity vs. Despair, which is the eighth stage in Erik Erikson's psychosocial development framework, individuals typically confront the culmination of their life experiences and reflect on their past. The primary emotional concern during this stage is often characterized by feelings of regret. As individuals review their lives, they may grapple with how they have lived, the decisions they made, and the opportunities they may have missed. This introspective evaluation can lead to a sense of despair if individuals feel their lives have not been meaningful or fulfilled. They may experience significant remorse over unresolved issues, unachieved goals, or relationships that were not nurtured. This emotional struggle is fundamental to this developmental stage, as the task is to achieve a sense of coherence and contentment regarding one’s life, enabling a sense of acceptance rather than despair. In contrast, feelings such as pride, freedom, or confusion may arise but are not the primary emotional concerns specifically tied to this stage of development. While pride may emerge in the context of recognizing accomplishments, it is not the central emotional challenge. Freedom and confusion can represent different life experiences but do not encapsulate the core introspective evaluation of life that defines the transition from integrity to despair.