'Identity versus role confusion' is seen in?

Appeared in: JSSH Staff Nurse - 2019

Explanation

Identity versus Role Confusion is the fifth stage of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development.
This stage occurs during adolescence, typically between the ages of 13 and 21.
The central task is for the adolescent to develop a coherent sense of self, integrating past experiences with future aspirations.
Successful resolution leads to the virtue of fidelity, while failure results in role confusion and an unstable sense of self.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: Infants (birth to 18 months) are in the 'Trust vs. Mistrust' stage. Their primary task is to develop a sense of trust in their caregivers and the world.
Option B: Preschoolers (3 to 5 years) are in the 'Initiative vs. Guilt' stage. They focus on asserting control and power over their environment through play and social interaction.
Option D: Toddlers (18 months to 3 years) are in the 'Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt' stage. Their main task is to develop a sense of personal control over physical skills and a sense of independence.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses caring for adolescents should understand this developmental stage to provide appropriate support. This includes respecting their need for privacy and confidentiality.
Encouraging peer group discussions and involving adolescents in decisions about their own healthcare can foster their sense of identity and autonomy.
What if? If an adolescent is hospitalized for a long period, they may experience intensified role confusion due to separation from peers and normal life. The nurse's role would be to facilitate safe social interactions (e.g., virtual chats with friends) and provide opportunities for self-expression to mitigate this.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'Identity versus role confusion'.
Recognize this phrase as one of the core conflicts in Erikson's theory of psychosocial development.
Recall or deduce the specific age group associated with this stage. The term 'identity crisis' is commonly linked with teenage years.
Evaluate the given options: Infants, Preschoolers, Adolescents, and Toddlers.
Match the 'Identity vs. Role Confusion' stage to the 'Adolescents' age group based on your knowledge of the theory.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development
Stem keywords: Identity versus role confusion
Lead-in keywords: seen in
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QDF51KTZ6Y4HeQ09aGw7pj

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 3061-3063

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 3369-3371, 3373-3375

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