Erikson’s theory of development is the practice model we use when working with adults who have been adopted.

Supporting practice

Our practice is supported by our practice framework (encompassing our models and practice standards), our care standards, and tools and resources.

Impact of adoption

Every adoption begins with an attachment disruption and a significant loss. Whether a tamaiti is adopted at birth or they are older at the time of adoption, their separation from the birth mother is a profound experience. The body processes this disruption as a trauma, which creates what may be called an ‘attachment wound’. This experience:

• shapes future relationships and the person’s sense of self
• creates additional developmental tasks through their life.

Understanding development

Developmental theory is a cornerstone of social work practice. Developmental theory:

• provides a framework for understanding human behaviour and development across the lifespan
• helps social workers assess client needs, plan interventions and promote wellbeing by recognising how individuals change physically, emotionally and cognitively throughout their lives.

Erikson's 1958 theory of psychosocial development involves the idea that people advance through 8 stages of development, from infancy to late adulthood, and emphasises the interplay between social and psychological factors in shaping personality and identity. Each stage is characterised by a specific psychosocial crisis where success leads to feelings of autonomy, and failure results in shame and doubt. Erikson states it is critical that parents allow their children to explore the limits of their abilities within an encouraging environment that is tolerant of failure.

Erikson's Stages of Development | Simply Psychology

Why Erikson’s theory is helpful

Erikson’s theory is a resource that allows us to consider how:

• non-changeable decisions made in the past, generally by other people, impact on someone’s current behaviour and thinking
• an individual can come to terms with life-long impacts of that decision.

We work with adults who are seeking to understand why they were adopted or placed in care as part of integrating their birth and adoptive identities. While they cannot change the actions and decisions of the people who determined their particular experience of family life, understanding the impact those actions have had on themselves and those around them can enable a healing process to begin.

This includes a focus on relational, inclusive and restorative work with adopted people, people who are care experienced and birth parents and their whānau or family.  

Critics of Erikson's theory say that it is more applicable to boys than to girls, and that more attention is paid to infancy and childhood than to adult life, despite the claim it is a life-span theory. However, many have found Erikson's theory offers a useful framework for analysing developmental histories.