The present study examined gender differences in relationship to ego integrity resolution of Erikson's stage theory and the need for control in the older adult ranging from 55-90 years of age. Erikson's ego integrity versus despair was measured with a subscale found in Measures of Psychological Development by Hawley (1988). The need for control was measured with a scale developed by Burger and Cooper (1979). Because of social roles, it was first predicted that males would score higher on resolution of ego integrity and lower on the need for control. The mean resolution of integrity score for males (N=31) was 16.35 and for females (N=56), it was 16.27. The mean of need for control for males was 98.68 and for females was M=93.20. Secondly, it was predicted that the lower age group (55 - 64 years old) would have a lower mean resolution of integrity score than the middle age group (65 - 74 years old) and that the high age group (75 years and up) would have a higher mean resolution of integrity score than the middle age group. However, results displayed the mean score for the lower age group was 16.50, for the middle age group it was 16.84; the high age group it was 15.35. Thirdly, it was predicted that the lower age group (55 - 64 years old) would have a higher mean of need for control score than the middle age group (65 - 74 years old), and that the high age group (75 and up) would have a lower need for control score than the middle age group. The mean score for the lower age group was 97.50, the middle age group, was 98.16 and for the high age group it was 88.69. A two factor (gender by age) ANOVA performed on the resolution of integrity and the need for control measures. However, no significant results were found. All of the hypotheses were rejected because no statistical significance was obtained. Limitations of the study included the size of the sample. It was too small. There were 87 participants, with 31 males and 56 females and only 5 males were in the high age group. It would be recommended for future research to examine a larger and more diverse sample. Future researchers may also wish to reconsider the age for resolution of integrity, because of the changes in lifestyle, medical innovations, and venues of employment, persons of 55 years of age may be too young to relate to the eighth stage of Erikson's stage theory. Future researchers may also want to consider the need for control measure predicting isolation, loneliness, loss of purpose and depression often associated with the aging.

ABSTRACT Spirituality has been recognized as a positive factor in the lives of older adults, especially as it influences their emotional, mental, and physical well-being. This convenience sample study included 17 older adults residing at a faith based continuing care retirement community in Florida. The sample was represented by Caucasian older adults with an average age of 84 years, highly educated, majority Protestant and mostly female. Spiritual life reviews were conducted using spiritual life maps (Hodge, 2005) and semi-structured interview questions. Erikson's epigenetic stage of ego-integrity was used along with Butler's life review process and Tornstam's gerotranscendence as a conceptual framework for understanding late life development and spirituality in older adults. This mostly qualitative study used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to analyze the responses to the open-ended interview questions about spirituality across the life-time. Ego-integrity was measured at the beginning and end of the spiritual life review study. Paired t-tests found that participation in the spiritual life review did not influence the ego integrity scores of participants. Specifically, there were no statistically significant difference between the pre ego integrity score (M=82.94, SD= 8.235) and the post ego integrity score (M=84.47, SD= 7.551); t (16) = -.769 p= .453. However, in comparison, the qualitative analysis revealed that the spiritual life review does influence ego-integrity in some participants. Additionally, the spiritual life review confirms gerotranscendence and contributes to information about spiritual development in the lives of older adults. The conclusion offers a discussion about the study's limitations, strengths, implications for future research, and suggestions for clinical practice.

This thesis explores the experiences of older adults with successful ageing and achieving ego integrity. It describes the sources related to ego integrity, that are helpful in facing the challenges of the eighth stage (ego integrity vs. despair). Five interviews were conducted with older adults, aged 65+. These interviews were subsequently analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). KEYWORDS ego integrity, aging, qualitative research, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)

The aim of this research is to develop guidelines for a psycho-educational programme to enhance the self-actualisation of retired people. To do this, an investigation was undertaken to determine how to enhance self-actualisation during retirement, through an understanding of the: • phenomenon of retirement; • concept of self-actualisation; • challenges that hamper adjustment and self-actualisation during retirement; • factors which assist retirees in overcoming challenges and achieving self-actualisation; and • the role of psycho-educational programmes in enhancing self-actualisation during retirement. The literature study sought to promote such an understanding through the investigation of writings and research findings. The qualitative investigation attempted to provide a contextual understanding of the above, through an exploration of the retirement experiences of a selected group of retirees living in George (and surrounding area), South Africa. The findings served as the basis for guidelines for a psycho-educational programme to enhance the self-actualisation of retired people. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

The aim of this research is to develop guidelines for a psycho-educational programme to enhance the self-actualisation of retired people. To do this, an investigation was undertaken to determine how to enhance self-actualisation during retirement, through an understanding of the: • phenomenon of retirement; • concept of self-actualisation; • challenges that hamper adjustment and self-actualisation during retirement; • factors which assist retirees in overcoming challenges and achieving self-actualisation; and • the role of psycho-educational programmes in enhancing self-actualisation during retirement. The literature study sought to promote such an understanding through the investigation of writings and research findings. The qualitative investigation attempted to provide a contextual understanding of the above, through an exploration of the retirement experiences of a selected group of retirees living in George (and surrounding area), South Africa. The findings served as the basis for guidelines for a psycho-educational programme to enhance the self-actualisation of retired people. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)