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. 2021 Sep 1;57(9):924. doi: 10.3390/medicina57090924

Table 1.

Different Existential Crisis for Different Stages of Human Development.

Stage Age Existential Crisis Main Task Gains Risks
Infancy Birth–2 years Separation anxiety Necessary gradual separation from mother
  • -

    Trust, faith, and hope

  • -

    Secure attachment (love)

  • -

    Enduring discomfort

  • -

    Delayed gratification
  • -

    Dependency

  • -

    Anxious/avoidant attachment

  • -

    No frustration tolerance

  • -

    Narcissism

  • -

    Fear of abandonment
Preschooler 3–4 years Safety anxiety (Fear of getting hurt) Testing limits of autonomy
  • -

    Obedience

  • -

    Freedom and security

  • -

    within boundaries

  • -

    Honesty and speaking the truth

  • -

    Respect for rules and authority
  • -

    No respect for parents and authority

  • -

    No impulse control

  • -

    Exerting power through temper tantrums

  • -

    Deception

  • -

    Aggression
Kindergarten
to primary school		 4–12 years Social anxiety (Fear of not belonging) School
  • -

    Sharing and belonging

  • -

    Playing fair (justice)

  • -

    Humility and forgiveness

  • -

    Curiosity about the world
  • -

    Isolation/loneliness

  • -

    Social anxiety

  • -

    Fear of rejection

  • -

    Bullying and cruelty

  • -

    Poor self-esteem

  • -

    Manipulation
Adolescence 12–18 years Identity crisis
  • -

    Puberty

  • -

    Preparation for adulthood
  • -

    Self-knowledge

  • -

    Self-awareness

  • -

    Sexual orientation

  • -

    Discovery of areas of strengths
  • -

    Role confusion

  • -

    Dropping out of school

  • -

    Low achievement motivation

  • -

    Seeking pleasure and risky behaviour

  • -

    Rebelliousness and antisocial behaviour
Young adult
or early career		 19–25 Independence anxiety
  • -

    Love relationship

  • -

    Entry into work force
  • -

    Courage

  • -

    Hope

  • -

    Purpose

  • -

    Confidence in love relationship

  • -

    and work
  • -

    No meaning and purpose

  • -

    Depression

  • -

    Aggressiveness

  • -

    Addiction

  • -

    Loner

  • -

    Making a living through illegal means
Adult
or mid-career		 25–40 Achievement anxiety (Fear of failure in career and marriage)
  • -

    Supporting a family

  • -

    Parenting
  • -

    Responsibility

  • -

    Resourcefulness

  • -

    Perseverance

  • -

    Career success

  • -

    Happy marriage

  • -

    A sense of actualization
  • -

    Getting stuck in a bad job or bad marriage

  • -

    Divorce

  • -

    Delinquent children

  • -

    No close friends

  • -

    Depression and addiction
Mature adult
or late career		 40–60 Mid-life crisis
  • -

    Reflection on the first half of life

  • -

    Ready for major change
  • -

    Generativity

  • -

    Life satisfaction

  • -

    Life transformation

  • -

    Social conscience

  • -

    Consolidating one’s

  • -

    contributions

  • -

    Redemption
  • -

    Stagnation

  • -

    Regression to adolescence

  • -

    Taking unwise risks

  • -

    Taking early retirement

  • -

    Giving up on life
Early old age 60–75 Ultimate concerns about boredom and meaninglessness Retirement
  • -

    Self-transcendence

  • -

    Integrity

  • -

    Spiritual growth

  • -

    Enjoying life to the fullest

  • -

    Volunteering

  • -

    Grand-parenting
  • -

    Despair

  • -

    Depression

  • -

    Bitterness

  • -

    Resentment

  • -

    Blaming and complaining

  • -

    Cranky old person
Late old age 76–death Worrying about unfinished business Completing the race gracefully
  • -

    Letting go, facing death with

  • -

    gratitude and faith

  • -

    Integration

  • -

    Death acceptance

  • -

    Legacy

  • -

    Hope for immortality

  • -

    Wisdom

  • -

    Spiritual maturity

  • -

    Mature happiness
  • -

    Regrets

  • -

    Despair

  • -

    Depression

  • -

    Anger towards life

  • -

    Suicide

  • -

    Alienating adult children