Erikson Stages of Development — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
8 psychosocial conflict stages
👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team
🕐 Updated 2026-07-11
🏷️ Health Promotion & Maintenance
🔖 Free to read, print, and share
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Erikson Stages of Development on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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- Infant: trust vs mistrust
- Toddler: autonomy vs shame
- Preschool: initiative vs guilt
- School-age: industry vs inferiority
- Adolescent: identity vs role confusion
- Young adult: intimacy vs isolation
- Middle: generativity vs stagnation
- Older: integrity vs despair
- Toddler needs routine + choices
- Teen → peers + privacy
✨Quick Tip
Infant (0-1 yr) faces Trust vs Mistrust; consistent caregiving builds hope and trust.
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