Psychological Factors

An important aspect and characteristic from early adulthood onward is the ability to realize and comprehend just where one is positioned within the realm of self-understanding at any trajectory along the continuum of his or her life. This is especially true as one repositions into adulthood, mid-life, retirement, and later decades. The experience of aging directly correlates with the motivation one exhibits during the life course; however, successful aging is limited by psychological needs and desires within the individual’s underlying character (Coleman, 1999). This suggests that an active engagement with all aspects within one’s life must be the priority on the list of things to do for the perception of successful aging to manifest itself in one’s life.

Eric Erikson capably established that the ego develops and progresses through eight stages of life, each phase having its own special ascension to conclude in a functional whole (1959). Erikson clearly illustrates human development and aging as a lifelong process. The connection between earlier stages of life and the ability to successfully adapt in the future certainly is influenced by the choices made through the trajectory in a human life course.