Which psychological development stage involves intimacy vs. isolation?

The psychological development stage that involves intimacy vs. isolation is characteristic of young adulthood, which occurs between the ages of 18 and 40. During this stage, individuals are focused on forming deep, meaningful relationships and establishing intimate connections with others, such as romantic partnerships and close friendships. Successful navigation of this stage leads to the ability to experience healthy relationships, which fulfill social and emotional needs.

If individuals struggle with this aspect of development, they may experience feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can affect their overall mental health and relational capacities in future stages of life. This concept is part of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which posits that each stage has a critical conflict individuals must resolve to achieve healthy psychological growth.

In contrast, the other stages listed do not focus primarily on intimacy as a core conflict. Childhood primarily involves the development of a sense of trust versus mistrust, while adolescence revolves around the quest for identity, and middle adulthood is more concerned with generativity versus stagnation.