Summary: One of the more important factors taken into consideration when a person enters expat training or expat counseling is the stage of life of the person. If it is a family, it is important to have an awareness of where each family member is from a human development perspective.

One of the more important factors taken into consideration when a person enters expat training or expat counseling is the stage of life of the person. If it is a family, it is important to have an awareness of where each family member is from a human development perspective.

What does this mean? Well, there are several major psychological theorists that have a lot to say on the matter, but one of the most accessible for many of my clients has always been Erik Erikson.

Erikson described what he called "Psychosocial Stages," and in each stage there is a key "task" or "crisis" that individuals must satisfy that helps develop a balance between ourselves and our social environment. As expats are immersed in cultures other their own, this can be quite confusing if they are not able to successfully adjust to their host culture. If an individual is unable to satisfy a task in one stage, this likely will make it more difficult to satisfy those in the next stage and those that follow.

Here is how Erikson described the Psychosocial Stages, and how they might apply to expats:

Stage 1

Infancy (birth through Year One): Trust vs. Mistrust - Infants develop a sense of trust through the care they receive from their primary caregiver(s). If key needs are not met (being fed regularly, receiving proper care and affection), their will likely be tumult in interpersonal relationships.

For Expat parents: Those who go abroad with infants need to be keenly aware of the impact that their move abroad has on their child. The maintenance of regular care should be paramount. Importantly, remember that the relationship between the parents needs attention to help foster an environment in which AT LEAST one parent is highly responsive to the infant.

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