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Commentary on Retirement, Identity, and Erikson’s Developmental Stage Model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2009

John W. Osborne
John W. Osborne*
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to: / La correspondance concernant cet article doit être adressées à : John W. Osborne 4387 Faithwood Rd Victoria, British Columbia, V8X 4Y6 (josborne@highspeedplus.com)
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Abstract

The coincidence of retirement and aging, experienced in the later stages of life, can trigger a recurrence of the bipolar tensions of earlier stages described in Erikson’s model of personality development. The model provides a means for retirees to understand the ground from which their present identity has developed and how the psychodynamics of previous life stages can be reactivated by the onset of retirement and aging. Stages of the model are illustrated by experiences within the context of retirement. The utility of Erikson’s model is suggested as a means of enhancing self-awareness, self-understanding, and adjustment to retirement.

Résumé

La coïncidence de retraite et du vieillissement, éprouvé dans les étapes ultérieures de la vie, peut déclencher une récurrence des tensions bipolaires des étapes antérieures décrites dans le modèle du développement de la personnalité d’Erikson. Le modèle fournit un moyen pour les retraités de comprendre comment le motif de leur identité actuelle a developpé et comment les psychodynamiques des étapes antérieures de la vie peut être reactivé par le début simultané de la retraite et du vieillissement. Les étapes de la modèle sont illustrés par des experiences dans la retraite. L’utilité du modèle d’Erikson est suggerée comme un moyen d’améliorer la conscience et la connaissance de soi et l’adaptation à la retraite.

Keywords

retraitevieillissementidentitéle modèle du développement d’EriksonretirementagingidentityErikson’s developmental model
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 28 , Issue 4 , December 2009 , pp. 295 - 301
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2009

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