... as the overall outlook for one's life in the beginning, and retrospect of one's life lived in the end. According to Erickson, this fifth phase of psychosocial development, identity versus role confusion, is the most important stage because teenagers begin to look at whom they are in respect to their personalities, opinions, and what they are passionate about. They are searching for their own identity and begin to question what they want to do in their lives. Failure to resolve issues associated with this "crisis stage" can result in indecision by the teenager to establish future goals (Baron 336-337). Ability to complete this step of psychosocial development aids them in planning their adult life and achieving a sense of well-being. Previous success at solving earlier childhood stages of conflict provides a good basis for the teenager when facing this period of self-assessment (Cortland 5). They begin to view themselves as being ...

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