Empty Nest

Abstract

The term “empty nest” is commonly used to refer to the situation where children have grown up and left the parental home. This situation may involve a reorganization of parental roles and is commonly assumed to create a related condition known as the empty nest syndrome, which is purported to affect mothers more than fathers. Historically, the empty nest phase of the family life cycle was relatively rare or of short duration. With increased longevity and lower fertility rates, parents began to expect an extended postparental and postretirement period. In contemporary times, the transition to the empty nest is less linear or permanent since many young adult children return home. This countertrend of refilled nests is largely attributed to economic and other sociodemographic shifts which have delayed the independence of young adults in addition to other family transitions over the life course. Cross‐cultural and other studies also highlight diversity in empty nest experiences by psychological and relational factors, ethnic background, social class, gender, and regional locale.

WITHDRAWN: Mental Health and Well-being of Empty-nesters: A Chinese Urban Case Study

“…Empty Nest refers to a phase in the family life cycle when all children have left home leaving only an older couple or individual living alone (Bouchard, 2014;Chen, Yang, & Aagard, 2012;Duvall, 1957;Mount & Moas, 2015). Cross-cultural studies, which highlighted diversity in empty nest experiences by ethnic background and regional locale, pointed out that the empty nest applied mainly to white families rather than African American, Hispanic, or Asian families (Mitchell, 2016), thus existing literatures are mainly about the empty-nest experiences and responses in Western countries.…”

A Life Span Developmental Perspective on Psychosocial Development in Midlife

“…Rather than evoke crisis, the empty nest is often accompanied by a sense of personal freedom, reflection, and goal pursuit (Bouchard, ). The return of adult children to the nest poses adjustment challenges for midlife parents (Mitchell, ). In contrast, births to midlife mothers are increasingly common.…”

Mental Health and Well-Being of Empty-Nesters: A Chinese Urban Case Study

“…Empty Nest refers to a phase in the family life cycle when all children have left home leaving only an older couple or individual living alone (Bouchard, 2014; Chen, Yang, & Aagard, 2012; Duvall, 1957;Mount & Moas, 2015). Cross-cultural studies, which highlighted diversity in empty nest experiences by ethnic background and regional locale, pointed out that the empty nest applied mainly to white families rather than African American, Hispanic, or Asian families (Mitchell, 2016), thus existing literatures are mainly about the empty-nest experiences and responses in Western countries.…”