International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 presents the psychological journey of an ordinary individual whose identity gradually weakens through long term emotional silence and unresolved developmental conflict. This article applies Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory, particularly the developmental stages related to identity and role confusion and the stage related to intimacy and isolation, to examine how suppressed emotional expression influences identity formation and emotional connection across the life span. Emotional silence is interpreted as a psychosocial condition that interrupts healthy development by limiting self expression, internal reflection, and meaningful communication. Through a close reading of the protagonist’s life experiences from childhood to adulthood, the study argues that repeated emotional suppression leads to identity confusion, emotional distance in relationships, and gradual psychological instability. The protagonist’s behavioral shifts are understood not as sudden disturbances but as accumulated internal tension resulting from unresolved developmental tasks. By analyzing emotional silence as a central developmental conflict, the article highlights the relationship between communication, identity formation, and psychosocial growth. The study ultimately demonstrates that long term emotional restraint contributes to identity crisis and emotional isolation, emphasizing the importance of balanced psychosocial development for maintaining psychological stability and a coherent sense of self.

KEYWORD: Emotional Silence, Identity Crisis, Psychosocial Development, Identity Formation, Emotional Isolation, Erik Erikson