Middle adulthood is the period between the ages of eighteen and forty; it occurs after adolescence and consequently induces the sixth stage of psychosocial development called intimacy and isolation. The primary issue at this level gravitates around creating intimate, loving and enduring relationships with other people.Success in establishing this leads to happiness and close relations. On the other hand, failure causes loneliness and reduced self-confidence (Cherry, 2020). Intimacy is the closeness exhibited in personal relationships. It builds with time as people continue to connect and grow in loving each other to the point that they are completely comfortable together. Romantic relationships are an essential part of this stage, but intimacy goes beyond this scope and involves building close relations with individuals that are not immediate family members.
Intimacy requires that one can reveal information about one’s self as well as listening and helping others in time of need, a completely mutual engagement. When this happens, anyone gets the support and love of others. Isolation occurs when a person tries to establish a friendship or a romantic relationship but gets rejected. As a result, one develops a fear of being rebuked, and therefore they embrace an isolated life where there is a complete lack of making friendship or developing romantic relations (Holland, 2019). Isolation at this stage of development can be perpetuated by abuse during childhood, divorce from a partner, refusal to commit to relationships, difficulty in initiating intimacy, and problems with self-disclosure.
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Having personal relations with friends and romantic relationships produces happiness and a deep sense of satisfaction since we’re social beings who always want a sense of belonging. In effect, intimacy enables an individual to create significant social networks that are beneficial to their well-being not just emotionally but also physically throughout life. Intimacy enhances a person’s self-esteem, by reason, if someone can effortlessly associate with others; they are bound to build more meaningful relationships since they are not afraid of getting rejected.
References
Cherry, K. (2020). Intimacy vs. Isolation: Forming Intimate Relationships with Others. Retrieved 27 April 2021, from www.verywellmind.com/intimacy-versus-isolation-2795739
Holland, K. (2019). Intimacy vs Isolation: The Importance of Relationships in Adulthood. Retrieved 27 April 2021, from www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/intimacy-vs-isolation
