Schizophrenia Q 31
A client, age 36, with paranoid schizophrenia believes the room is bugged by the Central Intelligence Agency and that his roommate is a foreign spy. The client has never had a romantic relationship, has no contact with family members, and hasn’t been employed in the last 14 years. Based on Erikson’s theories, the nurse should recognize that this client is in which stage of psychosocial development?
A. Autonomy versus shame and doubt
B. Generativity versus stagnation
C. Integrity versus despair
D. Trust versus mistrust
Correct Answer: D. Trust versus mistrust
This client’s paranoid ideation indicates difficulty trusting others. Erikson believed that early patterns of trust help children build a strong base of trust that’s crucial for their social and emotional development. If a child successfully develops trust, they will feel safe and secure in the world. You’re essentially shaping their personality and determining how they will view the world.
Option A: The stage of autonomy versus shame and doubt deals with separation, cooperation, and self-control. Children who successfully complete this stage feel secure and confident, while those who do not are left with a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt. This stage also serves as an important building block for future development. Kids who have confidence in their skills are more likely to succeed in subsequent tasks such as mastering social, academic, and other skills.
Option B: Generativity versus stagnation is the normal stage for this client’s chronologic age. When people fail to achieve generativity, they instead develop a sense of stagnation. Such feelings can have an impact on how people manage the later years of their lives. It is at this point in life that some people might experience what is often referred to as a “midlife crisis.” People might reflect back on their accomplishments and consider their future trajectory and feel regret. In some cases this might involve regretting missed opportunities such as going to school, pursuing a career, or having children.
Option C: Integrity versus despair is the stage for accepting the positive and negative aspects of one’s life, which would be difficult or impossible for this client. Those who feel proud of their accomplishments will feel a sense of integrity. Successfully completing this phase means looking back with few regrets and a general feeling of satisfaction. These individuals will attain wisdom, even when confronting death. Those who are unsuccessful during this phase will feel that their life has been wasted and will experience many regrets. The individual will be left with feelings of bitterness and despair.