During which life stage do individuals experience identity vs. role confusion, according to Erikson?

Individuals experience the stage of identity vs. role confusion during adolescence, which typically spans from ages 13 to 21. This stage is crucial as it is the time when adolescents are exploring their personal identity, values, and beliefs. They seek to establish their sense of self in relation to their family, peers, and society. During this transitional phase, young people often experiment with different roles and identities, which can lead to confusion if they cannot successfully integrate these experiences into a cohesive self-concept.

Successful navigation of this stage results in a strong sense of personal identity and the ability to make decisions about the future. Conversely, failure to resolve these identity issues can lead to confusion about one's role in society and ongoing struggles with self-definition. This stage is significantly different from those that occur in early childhood, middle adulthood, or older adulthood, where the developmental focuses revolve around different psychosocial challenges and tasks.