A nurse in a pediatric behavioral unit is assessing a 6-year-old child who has been exhibiting regressive behaviors such as thumb-sucking clinging to the parent and expressing jealousy toward a newborn sibling. According to Freud's stages of psychosexual development, which of the following interpretations is most consistent with the child's behavior?

Rationale: A. The phallic stage typically occurs between ages 3–6 and involves Oedipal or Electra conflicts, but this scenario focuses more on regressive behavior than rivalry or sexual identity formation. B. While thumb-sucking is related to oral-stage behavior (0–18 months), this child is not fixated but regressing, which is common during stress or major life changes (e.g., birth of a sibling). C. The anal stage (1–3 years) is associated with control and autonomy, often seen in behaviors like toilet training resistance—not the behaviors described here. D. A 6-year-old is in the latency stage (6–12 years), characterized by socialization and skill development. The described behaviors indicate regression to earlier stages (oral and dependency behaviors), which is common in response to emotional stress and suggests unresolved earlier conflicts.