Erikson proposed a series of life tasks, part of normal development, which everyone encounters at different stages from birth to death. He suggested that the most important life tasks facing the mature adult were those which he called acquiring a sense of Generativity as opposed to one of Stagnation, and later, for the older old, a sense of Integrity as opposed to a sense of Despair.

By Generativity Erikson intended an understanding and concern, over and above self-interests, for the needs of those who follow. 'The loving and working mature adults need to feel some concern for the next generation?' Care is the dominant characteristic of those who develop a generative attitude and are able to find meaning and value in their existence through what they are able to give back to their family and community, this, Erikson believed, includes the transmission of values.

By Integrity Erikson suggested that for those in whom Integrity has blossomed there is a sense of having experienced being cared for, having cared for others, now being able to care for oneself as part of the natural cycle of an individual's life in the flow of history, and being able to be satisfied with what one's life has been. The polar opposite would be a person with a sense of Despair who has been unable to overcome earlier challenges in life for any of a vast array of reasons but who now has little sense of value in him- or her-self with which to enrich the lives of others.

In the study of adult development mentioned last week some characteristics which were found to make a positive contribution to successful aging included forgiveness, gratitude, and joy. It was demonstrated that these are essential ingredients to overcoming the disadvantages inherent in many young lives and provide the individual with an openness to the possibilities of a successful life. Sometimes we can get stuck on seeing only the bad things which have happened to us but it is the good things and people who happen at any stage of our lives that facilitate an enjoyable old age. Forgiveness and gratitude can be healing in relationships at any time, not least in old age.

Aggie Grant, Registered Psychologist, Alpha Counselling Services