What psychological concept involves accepting one’s life as it has been lived?

The concept of accepting one’s life as it has been lived is referred to as ego integrity. This psychological concept, primarily derived from Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, is particularly relevant in the later stages of life, where individuals reflect on their experiences and achievements.

Ego integrity signifies a sense of fulfillment and wholeness. It involves coming to terms with both successes and failures, leading to an acceptance of one’s past decisions and their impact on one's life. When individuals reach this stage and achieve ego integrity, they feel a sense of peace and insight regarding their life journey, allowing them to face the end of life with a sense of satisfaction rather than regret.

This contrasts with concepts like despair, which signifies a sense of hopelessness and dissatisfaction with one's life decisions. Life review, while closely related, focuses on the process of reflecting on one's life rather than the acceptance that characterizes ego integrity. Regression refers to a psychological defense mechanism where an individual reverts to an earlier stage of development in response to stress, which does not relate to the acceptance of life experiences.

Ego integrity ultimately reflects a healthy psychological state of acknowledging and embracing one's life course, resulting in a coherent and fulfilled self-image.