Role exit is the social process through which an individual disengages from a role that has been central to their self-identity and establishes a new identity associated with a different role. This process often involves a period of adjustment and can be challenging as individuals may experience a sense of loss, uncertainty, or even identity crisis as they relinquish a familiar role and take on a new one. Examples of role exit include retirement from a long-term career, divorce leading to the end of the spouse role, or recovery from a serious illness leading to a change in one's identity as a "sick" person. Role exit typically involves stages such as doubt, search for alternatives, the turning point where the decision to leave the role is made, and the creation of a new identity.