Negative Disintegration

Not all disintegration leads to growth. Negative disintegration occurs when internal breakdown is not guided by developmental potential or the third factor.

Characteristics include:
• Persistent chaos and despair
• Lack of emerging values or ideals
• Absence of conscious self-direction
• Potential for long-term dysfunction

In contrast to positive disintegration, this process does not resolve toward higher integration and may require external intervention.