A life transition is a change of role, stage, or context that reconfigures identity and routines (retiring, becoming a parent, emigrating, changing careers, becoming widowed). Not all transitions are adverse: positive ones also require active psychological adaptation.
Concept origin
Bridges W. (2004). Transitions: Making sense of life's changes. Da Capo Press. · Levinson DJ. (1978). The seasons of a man's life. Knopf.
How it manifests
- ▸ Temporal confusion ("this will pass someday")
- ▸ Loss of previous references
- ▸ Need to reconstruct meaningful routines
Therapeutic approach
Bridges' model distinguishes three phases (ending, neutral zone, new beginning). CBT works on maladaptive thoughts about the new stage. Narrative psychotherapy helps build a new life story that integrates change as positive.
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