Growth and Development: Psychosocial Stages

What are the developmental age periods?

Infancy: birth-1yr

Toddler: 1-2yrs

Preschool: 3-5yrs

School age: 6-12yrs

Adolescence: 13-18yrs

Erikson stage for birth to 1yr?

Trust vs. mistrust: consistent care builds trust; respond to basic needs and involve parents

Erikson stage for 1-3yrs?

Autonomy vs Shame & Doubt: Want to control their bodies and environment, do things for themselves, nurses foster by giving real choices and control.

Major focus: walking, talking, feeding themselves, toilet training

Desired virtue: willpower and self-control

Positive outcome: child confident and capable of controlling their own body and choices

Negative outcome: overly strict rules or constant criticism make child doubt abilities and feel ashamed

Nursing: give simple choices, encourage independence, promote safety and avoid punishment

Erikson stage for 3-6yrs?

Initiative vs guilt: explore their world, vigorous play, develop conscience. Nurses foster initiative by setting them up for success.

Central focus: exploring physical and social environment, trying new tasks, asserting power or control through play and socializing, planning and initiate activities

Positive outcome: develop sense of initiative, assertiveness and purpose without being overly intrusive

Negative Outcome: developing excessive guilt or self-doubt if their explorations / independent efforts get harshly criticized or restricted

Nursing: Allow preschool pts to play with safe medical equipment, avoid causing guilt, provide simple and honest language

Erikson stage for 6-12yrs?

Industry vs inferiority: want to engage in activities with real sense of achievement, learn to compete and cooperate with others. Nurses foster with projects and having goals that they can attain. Avoid inferiority by not expecting something beyond their level.

Conflict: industry (building, learning, accomplishing tasks) versus inferiority (feeling inadequate or failing to meet expectations

Virtue: competence: children gain a sense of pride and self-worth through mastering social, physical and academic skills

Social focus: school, teachers, neighbors and peer groups take on immense importance outside family unit

Care: support need for achievement, promote schoolwork and hobbies, encourage participation ex. choosing arm for BP, maintain peer connections, provide clear explanations

Erikson stage for 13-18yrs?

Identity vs Role Confusion: rapid physical changes, preoccupied with how others see them, struggle to fit into roles they see as important, peers’’ opinion critical. Nurses foster identity by enhancing self-concept, encourage peer involvement, may need help re-defining roles