Life satisfaction, fear of death, and ego identity in elderly adults

Abstract

Erikson’s eighth developmental stage, ego integrity vs. despair, was examined using the Life Satisfaction Index-A (LSIA) as a measure of ego integrity, the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) as a measure of despair, and the Ego Identity Scale (EIS) as a measure of the successful resolution of the first six stages of psychosocial development. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) A positive correlation would exist for performance on the LSIA and the EIS, (2) a negative correlation would exist for performance on the DAS and on the LSIA, and (3) a negative correlation would exist for performance on the DAS and on the EIS. The subjects were 100 men and women 61-89 years of age. The first hypothesis was supported, and the second and third were supported with men but not with women. © 1981, The psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.