Integrity vs. despair is the final stage in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, occurring in late adulthood, where individuals reflect on their lives to find meaning and acceptance. Integrity involves accepting one’s life as well-lived and meaningful, leading to feelings of satisfaction, wholeness, and readiness for death. In contrast, despair is characterized by regret, bitterness, and disappointment over missed opportunities and poor choices, leading to feelings of hopelessness and a fear of the past.Â