Insomnia and psychosocial crisis: Two studies of Erikson's developmental theory

Two studies examined the relevance of E. H. Erikson's (1959) developmental theory to understanding insomnia. Study 1 investigated the relationship between sleep disturbances in the elderly and the resolution of the psychosocial crisis of "ego integrity vs despair." Questionnaires designed to assess relevant background information, resolution of the psychosocial crisis of ego integrity vs despair, and sleep behavior were administered to 122 institutionalized and noninstitutionalized 60-89 yr olds. Multivariate analyses provided strong support for the hypothesis that ineffective resolution of the psychosocial crisis of old age is related to sleep disturbances in the elderly. Study 2 examined the relationship between resolution of the "identity vs role confusion" psychosocial crisis and sleep disturbances in 66 college students. Analyses of Ss' responses to questionnaires provided strong support for the hypothesized relationship between insomnia and incomplete resolution of the adolescent crisis. Implications for understanding both sleep disturbances at other developmental stages and other forms of psychological dysfunction are discussed. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).