The Relationship Between Fromm's Need for Transcendence and Erikson's Stage of Integrity in Older Adults

This international review synthesizes theoretical and empirical work linking Erich Fromm’s concept of the need fortranscendence with Erik Erikson’s final psychosocial stage—integrity versus despair—among older adults. Fromm’sneed for transcendence describes human motivation to overcome self-enclosure by creating, caring, or connectingto something beyond the self; Erikson’s integrity describes a reflective acceptance and sense of coherence in latelife. We review conceptual overlaps, empirical findings on self-transcendence and ego integrity, and interventionstudies that have targeted transcendent or meaning-focused processes in late-adulthood populations. Evidenceindicates that self-transcendence (operationalized in gerontological literature) correlates with higher well-being, lifesatisfaction, and aspects of ego integrity, and that interventions promoting transcendence or meaning-making canreduce aging anxiety and increase indicators of integrity. Cultural context, life narrative processes, and socialconnectedness moderate these links. We conclude with implications for research, clinical practice, and culturallysensitive programs to support positive aging.Keywords: Fromm, transcendence, Erikson, integrity, older adults, self-transcendence, meaning-making