The PMHNP is evaluating a 69-year-old patient who has self-referred for evaluation. The patient retired from his professional role as a CEO from a major fortune 500 company 8 months ago and admits that he feels himself sinking into an uncharacteristic depression. For most of his life he has been a high-achiever, and he retired 8 months ago with the intention of enjoying the wealth he worked so hard to build. While he did take some big trips and had a lot of fun at first, now he feels oddly empty and for no good reason feels himself sinking into depression. 

According to Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development this patient may be having maladaptive resolution of which stage? 

A. Identity versus role confusion 

B. Initiative versus guilt 

C. Generativity versus stagnation

D. Ego integrity versus despair