Understanding Life Transitions and Biopsychosocial Development Transitions n

Understanding Life Transitions and Biopsychosocial Development

Transitions n A transition is the period of growth between stages in life n They represent a process of change n They indicate a need for change, or personal transformation

Transitions n All people go through transitions – whether they want to or not n Some transitions are a part of our development through life n Others occur when we are faced with some kind of adversity

Transitions n Transitions always require us to use skills we learned in the past n They also task us to learn new skills that allow us to move forward n They can lead to grief n They always create a desire to want life to “go back to the way things were”

Transitions n Transitions begin with endings n Transitions do not have a clearly defined end n One may have many transitions at once n However, some are somewhat predictable n By understanding life’s common developmental stages – and challenges – you will gain an understanding of how earlier stages of personality development influence the choices you continue to make in life

Journal Assignment n Journal Entry: Can you describe a time of transition in your life, or in the life of someone you know? What was it like? How did it start? How did it end? Did it end? ? n Please make connections to this Power. Point in your response.

Biopsychosocial Development n What does this mean !? !? !!? !? n “BIO” represents your biological development n “PYCHO” literally means “soul” and refers to your psychological development

Developmental Stages n Many have defined developmental stages in life n The most popular is Erikson’s model (Biopsychosocial theory) n Each stage is define by tasks to resolve a crisis that one must accomplish before successfully moving onto the next stage

Biopsychosocial Development n “SOCIAL” refers to your place in society and your social development n Development means change over time n Put it all together and you get a larger picture of development through life

Developmental Stages n In this case a crisis refers to a turning point or transition in life n If each task is not mastered, there can be potential problems in personality development – we can call this “unfinished business” n The stages are as follows:

Developmental Stages n n n n n Infancy Early Childhood Preschool Middle Childhood Adolescence Early Adulthood Middle Adulthood Late Middle-Age Late Adulthood

Infancy n Birth to age 1 n Task = develop a sense of trust in self, others and the environment n Struggle between trust vs mistrust n If the infant receives needed warmth and attention the child will learn this trust n Without it; fear, inadequacy, and insecurity will develop

Early Childhood n Ages 1 to 3 n Most critical task is to begin journey toward autonomy n Core struggle is autonomy vs shame and doubt n Progress from care from others to raking care of own needs

Early Childhood cont’d n Increase understanding of interdependence and emotional competence (include patience) n If not mastered feelings of doubt about their own abilities will emerge n Parents should avoid doing too much for children during this time and be accepting of negative feelings unless they learn to deny their unacceptable feelings later on

Preschool n Ages 3 to 6 n Seek to find out what they can do n Core struggle is initiative vs guilt n Begin to learn how to give and receive love and affection, basic attitude regarding sexuality, and learn more complex social skills

Preschool cont’d n The basic task is to develop a sense of competence and initiative n With realistic freedom to choose own activities and decisions they tend to develop positive orientation shown by confidence in their ability to initiate and follow through n If too restricted children will develop a sense of guilt and withdraw from life

Middle Childhood (“tweens”) n Ages 6 to 12 n Core struggle is called industry vs inferiority n Task is to develop a sense of industry to avoid feelings of inadequacy

Middle Childhood (“tweens”) n Children expand view of world and develop an appropriate gender-role identity n Developing industry includes creating goals and working to accomplish them n Failure to do so can result in feelings of worthlessness affecting relationships with peers, negative self-concept, dependency, fear of new challenges and lack of initiative

Adolescence n Ages 12 to 20 n Core struggle: identity vs identity confusion n Focus is to develop a sense of who you are, where you are going, and how you are getting there n Integrate physical and social changes

Adolescence cont’d n Deal with rapid body changes, intimate and emotional relationships, develop sexual identity, develop a philosophy of life and spirituality and understand self in relation to others n A major part of forming identity is separation from family – this is called individuation and can be very “unfun” for everyone

Early Adulthood n Ages 20 – 35 n Core struggle: intimacy vs isolation n The ability to form intimate relationships depends largely on having a clear sense of self

Early Adulthood cont’d n Intimacy requires sharing, giving ourselves, relating, and a desire to grow with that person n Failure to achieve intimacy often results in isolation from others and a sense of alienation n The major aim is to engage in intimate relationships and find satisfying work

Early Adulthood cont’d n A central task is to assume responsibility and increased independence n The process of growth toward this stage begins in early childhood and continues throughout life

Middle Adulthood n Ages 35 – 55 n Core struggle: generativity vs stagnation n A challenge is to recognize accomplishments and accept limitations n Fostering children, find meaningful leisure activities, and establishing meaningful relationships

Middle Adulthood n Solidify a philosophy of life n Mid-life crisis may occur and can lead to depression n Some may see their visions have not come to pass n A problem can be to fail achieving a sense of productivity resulting in feelings of stagnation

Late Middle Age n Ages 55 to 70 n Many adults are beginning to consider retirement, pursuing new interests, or and thinking more about the rest of their lives n More aware of the reality of death

Late Middle Age cont’d n A challenge here is coming to the reality that not everything could be done n Emphasis must be placed on letting go of some dreams, accepting limitations, and focusing on what they can do n A lot of reflecting, refocusing, re-evaluating to consider new directions

Late Adulthood n Ages 70 onward n Core struggle: integrity vs despair n Basic task is to complete a life review where we put our life into perspective; come to terms with who we are and what we have done

Late Adulthood cont’d n Spirituality may take open greater importance n People who maintain integrity are able to accept they have been productive and they have coped with whatever failures they’ve made n those who fall into despair perceive the opposite and generally wish to relive certain parts of their lives n Themes include loneliness, isolation, uselessness, hopelessness, grief, fear of death and dying

Reference Corey and Corey (2007). Becoming a Helper Fifth Edition. Belmont, CA: Thompson.