Ego-integrity and its relationship with sense of coherence, satisfaction, self-efficacy, and depression

Current research on older adults considers psychological and emotional aspects of successful aging. Erikson’s epigenetic model of psychosocial development indicates that the Ego-Integrity vs. Despair stage is fundamental at this time of life. In this regard, the aim of this article is to validate an Ego-Integrity scale in an Ecuadorian context and analyze its relationship with other psychological variables. The sample consisted of 394 older adults who were tested collectively using: Northwestern Ego-integrity Scale, Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Sense of Coherence, and Diener’s Life Satisfaction Scale. A structural model was established with adequate measures on the Ego-Integrity and Despair Scale for older adults. The results showed that life satisfaction, general self-efficacy, and meaningfulness (sense of coherence scale) had significant and positive relationships with ego-integrity, whereas depression had a negative relationship. In addition, the comprehensibility and manageability of the sense of coherence had a significant and negative relationship with despair, whereas depression had a positive relationship. This information leads us to consider that, in order to help older people to achieve successful aging, it is important to promote the psychological variables that foster integrity and minimize depressive mood.