The avoidance of these experiences leads to isolation and self-absorption. The counterpart of intimacy is distantiation, which is the readiness to isolate and destroy forces and people whose essence seems dangerous to one's own. Now true genitality can fully develop. The danger at this stage is isolation which can lead to sever character problems. Despair Ego integrity is the ego's accrued assurance of its proclivity for order and meaning.
Despair is signified by a fear of death.
Healthy children won't fear life if their elders have integrity enough not to fear death.