INTRODUCTION:

An empty nest family is one with an elderly person living alone or with his or her Spouse. The children have left home like birds Flying away from the nest, and the elderly are Left behind lonely and without the care of their children. It’s amazing that, parents sacrifice the best years of their lives to create a nest for the Family, but then the children grow up and move away, and couples are left staring at each other, almost complete strangers to each other.

Unlike the grief experienced when a loved one Dies, the grief of empty nest syndrome often goes unrecognized, because an adult child moving out of home is seen as a normal, Healthy event.

Upset parents may find few Sources of support or sympathy. In many cases, Empty nest syndrome is compounded by other difficult life events or significant changes happening around the same time, such as retirement or menopause.

The most important learning lesson to women is to have advance plan once their nest is Empty. Women must pursue hobbies, a career or charity work and develop a child free channel of Communication with their spouse through their married lives to be able to create a life birds have flown away.

Definition:

“Empty nest syndrome refers to that is meaningful and valuable long after the condition, often involving depression, loneliness. Etc, experienced by parents living in home from which the children have grown upand left.”

Symptoms:

All parents are susceptible to empty nest syndrome. Symptoms of empty nest syndrome can include depression, a sense of loss of purpose, feelings of rejection, or worry, stress, and anxiety over the child's welfare. Parents who experience empty nest syndrome often question whether or not they have prepared adequately for their child to live independently. Many mothers, often the primary caregivers, are more likely than fathers to experience empty nest syndrome.

However, research has shown that some fathers expressed feelings that they were unprepared for the emotional transition that comes with their child leaving home. Others have stated feelings of guilt over lost opportunities to be more involved in their children’s lives before they left home.

Loss of motherhood:

Empty nest syndrome can afflict both parents, but mothers seem to be most susceptible. Many mothers may have dedicated 20 years or more of their lives to Bringing up their children, and see motherhoods their primary role. This is true even for most working mothers. Once the last child moves out, the mother may feel that her most important job is finished. Similarly to any one experiencing redundancy, the mother may feel worthless, disoriented and unsure of what meaning her future may hold. However, mostMothers adapt in time. Psychologists suggest that it may take 18 months to two years to make the successful transition from empty nest to accept the actual situation and to become independent woman.

Susceptible Parents:

Research suggests that some parents are more susceptible than others. People who suffer the most from empty nest syndrome tend to have things incommon, including: Change is considered stressful, rather than challenging or refreshing. They found moving out of home a difficult and emotional experience. Their marriage is unstable or unsatisfactory. Experiences such as weaning their babies from the breast, or sending their children off to school, were emotional and painful. People who rely on their roles for self-identity are more likely to feel bereft than people who have a strong sense of self-worth. People who are full-time parents are more often affected than people who also have other duties to perform (such as paid employment). Parents who worry that their children are not ready to take on adult responsibilities tend to experience more grief.

New trends and challenges:

In the last decade, the young adults who return to live with their parents have changed the traditional empty Nest dynamics. Factors such as the high unemployment rate in the United States and constrained job markets have been used to explain the surge in such individuals. Census data from 2020 showed that as many as 20Million 18 to 34 year old (34% of that age group) were living at home with their parents decade earlier, only fifteen percent of men and eight percent of women in that age range did so.

The challenges faced by parents experiencing empty nest syndrome are

(1) Establishing a new kind of relationship with their adult children,

(2) Becoming a couple again, after years of sharing the home with children,

(3) Filling the void in the daily routine created by absent children,

(4) Lack of sympathy or understanding from others, who consider children moving out to be a normal, healthy event and,

(5) The grief of empty nest syndrome may be compounded by other life events happening at the same time, such as retirement, redundancy, menopause and death of a spouse.

Impact on Parents:

In the past, research suggested that parents dealing with empty nest syndrome experienced a profound sense of loss that might make them vulnerable to depression, alcoholism, identity crisis and marital conflicts.

However, recent studies suggest that an empty Nest might reduce work and family Conflicts and can provide parents with many otherbenefits. When the last child leaves home, parents have a new opportunity to reconnect with each other, improve the quality of their marriage and rekindle interests for which they previously might not have had time.

Coping with Empty Nest Syndrome:

Child moving out of home is a stressful to parents. One of the easiest ways for parents to cope with empty nest syndrome is to keep in contact with their children. Technological developments such as cell phones, text messaging, and the internet all allow for increased communication between parents and their children.

Suggestions for coping include:

Acknowledge Grief and experience the feelings associated with grief. Express and discuss about thoughts Feelings and future plans with spouse. Seek Advice and support from other friends who Understand your feelings, some of them may Also have experienced empty nest syndrome. Adaptation to the stressful situation will take some time ranging from few weeks to months Parents must create their own rituals to help acknowledge feelings related to grief. Suggestions include planting a tree, or redecorating child’s old room. Parents can spend quality time by doing activities of their interest. Some people find that keeping a Journal is helpful, while others find peace through prayer. Keep up regular routines and Self-care, such as eating a healthy diet and Exercising regularly. Overwhelmed parents can seek professional help.

A growing body of research on marriage has shown that the presence of children decreases Overall marriage satisfaction and happiness. Children often bring about financial stress to a Couple, impose time constraints, and createan abundance of household duties, especially or women.

On average, couples with children can only spend about one-third the time alone together than they did before having children. Thus empty Nest parents can relight their own relationship by spending more time together. Without their children to be their primary focus during the day, many such couples express that their spent together improves.

Prevention:

Parents can prevent themselves empty nest syndrome. Plan in advance for the day when nest will be empty of all children. If one child has moved out and still have others living at home with parents, small changes made over time will mean less of a shock when last child moves out. Parents may find, with thought and careful planning. That the occasion of last child leaving home will offer a little happiness too, as parents can then implement their plans for an independent life with spouse.

According to Fingerman's research, most parents enjoy greater freedom, a reconnection with their spouses and more time to pursue their own goals and interests once in the studies report that seeing a child start down the path

Toward successful adulthood gives them a Feeling of joy and pride. Most importantly, the Parent and child relationship actually improves for many of them when children leave home.

REFERENCES:

1. Boyd M A. Psychiatric Nursing. Philadelphia: Wolter Kluwer Publication; 2012, Ed 5^th: p. 243.

2. Bouchard G. How do parents react when their children leave home? An integrative review. J Adult Dev 2014; 21(2):69-79.3.

3. Bedi P. Empty Nest Syndrome. The Times of India. (2012, February 25).

4. Clay, A.R. An empty nest can promote freedom, improved relationships. Monitor on Psychology, 2003 [Cited on 2016 March 24] 34(4).

5. Oliver R. Empty Nest or Relationship Restructuring? A Rational-Emotive Approach to a Mid-life Transition. Women Ther 1982; 1(2):67-83.

6. Mitchell BA, Lovegreen LD. The Empty Nest Syndrome in Midlife Families A Multimethod Exploration of Parental Gender Differences and Cultural Dynamics. J Fam Issues 2009; 30(12): 1651-70.

7. Curlee J. Alcoholism and the Empty Nest. Bull Menninger Clin 1969;33(3):165-8.

8. Oliver R. The empty nest syndrome as a focus of depression: A cognitive treatment model, based on rational emotive therapy. Psych other Theory Res Pract 1977;14(1):87-110.

9. Moscucci O. Medicine, age and gender: the menopause in history. Br Menopause Soc J 1999;5(4):149-53.

10. Defey D, Storch E, Cardozo S, Díaz O, Fernández G. The menopause: women's psychology and healthcare. SocSci Med 1996;42(10):1447-56.

11. McKinlay SM, Jefferys M. The menopausal syndrome. Br J PrevSoc Med 1974;28(2):108-15.

12. Rubinow DR, Schmidt PJ, Roca CA. Estrogen–serotonin interactions: implications for affective regulation. Biol Psychiatry 1998;44(9):839-50.

13. Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Lin H, Gracia CR, Kapoor S, Ferdousi T. The role of anxiety and hormonal changes in menopausal hot flashes. Menopause 2005;12(3):258-66.

14. Parse RR. Human becoming: Parse's theory of nursing. NursSci Quart 1992;5(1):35-42.Parse RR. The human becoming theory: Challenges in practice and research. NursSci Quart 1996;9(2):55

15. Parse RR. Quality of life: Sciencing and living the art of human becoming. NursSci Quart 1994;7(1):16-21.

16. Adelmann PK, Antonucci TC, Crohan SE, Coleman LM. Empty nest, cohort, and employment in the wellbeing of midlife women. Sex Roles 1989;20(3-4):173-89.

17. Radloff LS. Depression and the empty nest. Sex Roles 1980;6(6):775-81.

18. Rubin LB. Women of a certain age: The midlife search for self. HarperCollins Publishers; 1979.

19. Harkins EB. Effects of empty nest transition on self-report of psychological and physical well-being. J Marr Family 1978;1:549-56.

20. Liu LJ, Guo Q. Loneliness and health-related quality of life for the empty nest elderly in the rural area of a mountainous county in China. Qual Life Res 2007;16(8):1275-80.

21. Borland DC. A cohort analysis approach to the empty-nest syndrome among three ethnic groups of women:A theoretical position. J Marr Family 1982;1:117-29.

22. Barnett RC, Hyde JS. Women, men, work, and family. AmerPsychol 2001;56(10):781-96.

23. Lowenthal MF, Chiriboga D. Transition to the empty nest: Crisis, challenge, or relief?. Arch Gen Psychiatry19;26(1):8-14.

24. Black SM, Hill CE. The Psychological Well‐Being of Women in Their Middle Years. Psychol Women Quart 1984;8(3):282-92.

25. Mitchell BA, Lovegreen LD. The Empty Nest Syndrome in Midlife Families A Multimethod Exploration of Parental Gender Differences and Cultural Dynamics. J Fam Issues 2009;30(12):1651-70.

26. Curlee J. Alcoholism and the Empty Nest. Bull MenningerClin 1969;33(3):165-8.

27. Oliver R. The empty nest syndrome as a focus of depression: A cognitive treatment model, based on rational emotive therapy. Psychother Theory Res Pract 1977;14(1):87-110.

28. Moscucci O. Medicine, age and gender: the menopause in history. Br Menopause Soc J 1999;5(4):149-53.

29. Defey D, Storch E, Cardozo S, Díaz O, Fernández G. The menopause: women's psychology and health care. SocSci Med 1996;42(10):1447-56.

30. McKinlay SM, Jefferys M. The menopausal syndrome. Br J PrevSocMed 1974;28(2):108-15.

31. Burger HG, Dudley EC, Robertson DM, Dennerstein L. Hormonal changes in the menopause transition. Recent Prog Hormone Res 2001;57:257-75.

32. Rubinow DR, Schmidt PJ, Roca CA. Estrogen–serotonin interactions: implications for affective regulation. Biol Psychiatry 1998;44(9):839-50.

33. Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Lin H, Gracia CR, Kapoor S, Ferdousi T. The role of anxiety and hormonal changes in menopausal hot flashes. Menopause 2005;12(3):258-66.

34. Parse RR. Human becoming: Parse's theory of nursing. NursSci Quart 1992;5(1):35-42.

35. Parse RR. The human becoming theory: Challenges in practice and research. NursSciQuart 1996;9(2):55-60.

36. Parse RR. Quality of life: Sciencing and living the art of human becoming. NursSci Quart 1994;7(1):16-21.

37. Adelmann PK, Antonucci TC, Crohan SE, Coleman LM. Empty nest, cohort, and employment in the well-being of midlife women. Sex Roles 1989;20(3-4):173-89.

38. Radloff LS. Depression and the empty nest. Sex Roles 1980;6(6):775-81.

39. Rubin LB. Women of a certain age: The midlife search for self. HarperCollins Publishers; 1979.

40. Harkins EB. Effects of empty nest transition on self-report of psychological and physical well-being. J Marr Family 1978;1:549-56.

41. Liu LJ, Guo Q. Loneliness and health-related quality of life for the empty nest elderly in the rural area of a mountainous county in China. Qual Life Res 2007;16(8):1275-80.

42. Borland DC. A cohort analysis approach to the empty-nest syndrome among three ethnic groups of women: A theoretical position. J Marr Family 1982;1:117-29.

43. Barnett RC, Hyde JS. Women, men, work, and family. AmerPsychol 2001;56(10):781-96.

44. Lowenthal MF, Chiriboga D. Transition to the empty nest: Crisis, challenge, or relief?. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1972;26(1):8-14.

45. Black SM, Hill CE. The Psychological Well‐Being of Women in Their Middle Years. Psychol Women Quart 1984;8(3):282-92.

46. Cooper KL, Gutmann DL. Gender identity and ego mastery style in middle-aged, pre-and post-empty nest women. The Gerontol 1987;27(3):347-5

47. Mitchell BA, Lovegreen LD. The Empty Nest Syndrome in Midlife Families A Multimethod Exploration of Parental Gender Differences and Cultural Dynamics. J Fam Issues 2009;30(12):1651-70.

48. Curlee J. Alcoholism and the Empty Nest. Bull MenningerClin 1969;33(3):165-8.

49. Oliver R. The empty nest syndrome as a focus of depression: A cognitive treatment model, based on rational emotive therapy. Psychother Theory Res Pract 1977;14(1):87-110.

50. Moscucci O. Medicine, age and gender: the menopause in history. Br Menopause Soc J 1999;5(4):149-53.

51. Defey D, Storch E, Cardozo S, Díaz O, Fernández G. The menopause: women's psychology and health care. SocSci Med 1996;42(10):1447-56.

52. McKinlay SM, Jefferys M. The menopausal syndrome. Br J PrevSocMed 1974;28(2):108-15.

53. Burger HG, Dudley EC, Robertson DM, Dennerstein L. Hormonal changes in the menopause transition. Recent Prog Hormone Res 2001;57:257-75.

54. Rubinow DR, Schmidt PJ, Roca CA. Estrogen–serotonin interactions: implications for affective regulation. Biol Psychiatry 1998;44(9):839-50.

55. Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Lin H, Gracia CR, Kapoor S, Ferdousi T. The role of anxiety and hormonal changes in menopausal hot flashes. Menopause 2005;12(3):258-66.

56. Parse RR. Human becoming: Parse's theory of nursing. NursSci Quart 1992;5(1):35-42.

57. Parse RR. The human becoming theory: Challenges in practice and research. NursSciQuart 1996;9(2):55-60.

58. Parse RR. Quality of life: Sciencing and living the art of human becoming. NursSci Quart 1994;7(1):16-21.

59. Adelmann PK, Antonucci TC, Crohan SE, Coleman LM. Empty nest, cohort, and employment in the well-being of midlife women. Sex Roles 1989;20(3-4):173-89.

60. Radloff LS. Depression and the empty nest. Sex Roles 1980;6(6):775-81.

61. Rubin LB. Women of a certain age: The midlife search for self. HarperCollins Publishers; 1979.

62. Harkins EB. Effects of empty nest transition on self-report of psychological and physical well-being. J Marr Family 1978;1:549-56.

63. Liu LJ, Guo Q. Loneliness and health-related quality of life for the empty nest elderly in the rural area of a mountainous county in China. Qual Life Res 2007;16(8):1275-80.

64. Borland DC. A cohort analysis approach to the empty-nest syndrome among three ethnic groups of women: A theoretical position. J Marr Family 1982;1:117-29.

65. Barnett RC, Hyde JS. Women, men, work, and family. AmerPsychol 2001;56(10):781-96.

66. Lowenthal MF, Chiriboga D. Transition to the empty nest: Crisis, challenge, or relief?. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1972;26(1):8-14.

67. Black SM, Hill CE. The Psychological Well‐Being of Women in Their Middle Years. Psychol Women Quart 1984;8(3):282-92.

68. Cooper KL, Gutmann DL. Gender identity and ego mastery style in middle-aged, pre-and post-empty nest women. The Gerontol 1987;27(3):347-5

69. Mitchell BA, Lovegreen LD. The Empty Nest Syndrome in Midlife Families A Multimethod Exploration of Parental Gender Differences and Cultural Dynamics. J Fam Issues 2009;30(12):1651-70.

70. Curlee J. Alcoholism and the Empty Nest. Bull MenningerClin 1969;33(3):165-8.

71. Oliver R. The empty nest syndrome as a focus of depression: A cognitive treatment model, based on rational emotive therapy. Psychother Theory Res Pract 1977;14(1):87-110.

72. Moscucci O. Medicine, age and gender: the menopause in history. Br Menopause Soc J 1999;5(4):149-53.

73. Defey D, Storch E, Cardozo S, Díaz O, Fernández G. The menopause: women's psychology and health care. SocSci Med 1996;42(10):1447-56.

74. McKinlay SM, Jefferys M. The menopausal syndrome. Br J PrevSocMed 1974;28(2):108-15.

75. Burger HG, Dudley EC, Robertson DM, Dennerstein L. Hormonal changes in the menopause transition. Recent Prog Hormone Res 2001;57:257-75.

76. Rubinow DR, Schmidt PJ, Roca CA. Estrogen–serotonin interactions: implications for affective regulation. Biol Psychiatry 1998;44(9):839-50.

77. Freeman EW, Sammel MD, Lin H, Gracia CR, Kapoor S, Ferdousi T. The role of anxiety and hormonal changes in menopausal hot flashes. Menopause 2005;12(3):258-66.

78. Parse RR. Human becoming: Parse's theory of nursing. NursSci Quart 1992;5(1):35-42.

79. Parse RR. The human becoming theory: Challenges in practice and research. NursSciQuart 1996;9(2):55-60.

80. Parse RR. Quality of life: Sciencing and living the art of human becoming. NursSci Quart 1994;7(1):16-21.

81. Adelmann PK, Antonucci TC, Crohan SE, Coleman LM. Empty nest, cohort, and employment in the well-being of midlife women. Sex Roles 1989;20(3-4):173-89.

82. Radloff LS. Depression and the empty nest. Sex Roles 1980;6(6):775-81.

83. Rubin LB. Women of a certain age: The midlife search for self. HarperCollins Publishers; 1979.

84. Harkins EB. Effects of empty nest transition on self-report of psychological and physical well-being. J Marr Family 1978;1:549-56.

85. Liu LJ, Guo Q. Loneliness and health-related quality of life for the empty nest elderly in the rural area of a mountainous county in China. Qual Life Res 2007;16(8):1275-80.

86. Borland DC. A cohort analysis approach to the empty-nest syndrome among three ethnic groups of women:

87. A theoretical position. J Marr Family 1982;1:117-29.

88. Barnett RC, Hyde JS. Women, men, work, and family. AmerPsychol 2001;56(10):781-96.

89. Lowenthal MF, Chiriboga D. Transition to the empty nest: Crisis, challenge, or relief?. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1972;26(1):8-14.

90. Black SM, Hill CE. The Psychological Well‐Being of Women in Their Middle Years. Psychol Women Quart 1984;8(3):282-92.

91. Cooper KL, Gutmann DL. Gender identity and ego mastery style in middle-aged, pre-and post-empty nest women. The Gerontol 1987;27(3):347-5

Received on 16.10.2023 Modified on 11.12.2023

Int. J. of Advances in Nur. Management. 2024; 12(1):41-44.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2652.2024.00010