What is the primary focus during the stage of "integrity vs despair"?

The stage of "integrity vs despair" is primarily associated with older adulthood, according to Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory. During this stage, individuals reflect on their lives, evaluating the experiences, achievements, and contributions they have made. The focus is on coming to terms with past actions and understanding whether they feel satisfied with how they lived their lives or regretful about unfulfilled goals.

In achieving a sense of integrity, individuals feel a sense of completeness and acceptance, leading to feelings of wisdom. In contrast, those who experience despair may feel regret, bitterness, or dissatisfaction about missed opportunities, which can lead to a lack of fulfillment.

This reflective process is critical as it leads to an overall sense of closure and peace as one approaches the end of life. The other options focus on different developmental stages or tasks in life such as forming intimate relationships, career development, or establishing identity, which are not the primary concerns during the "integrity vs despair" stage.