Related Studies:

The Family Life Cycle And The Empty Nest

Presented to:
The Faculty of the Adler Graduate School
By: Kimberly Putz
October 2012
Abstract
The focus of this paper will be on the transition to empty nest for the marital couple and leaving
the home for the emerging adults. This paper explores family life cycles, provides an overview of
Adlers view of marriage, and discusses the roles family members hold and the impact on family
life cycle transitions. This paper also examines the combined stress of approaching mid- life
while also experiencing the empty nest. The view of the child emerging from childhood to
adulthood is examined and the potential impact of parenting style on the preparedness of the
emerging adult. The impact of the return of adult children on the marriage is analysed and the
paper provides information on research about this important family life cycle as well as
assessments and treatment techniques for therapists who work with clients struggling with this
life stage transition. The focus of this paper is on families who follow a traditional path where
they grow up, marry or partner, have children and approach the end of life.
The Empty Nest Syndrome In Midlife Families: A Multimethod Exploration of Parental
Gender Differences and Cultural Dynamics
By: Barbara a. Mitchell
Simon Fraser University
: Loren D. Lovegreen
Simon Fraser University
Abstract
This study explores parental health and well-being in relation to empty nest transitions. Focus
is placed on the purported empty nest syndrome (i.e., self- reported experiences of depression
and emotional distress when children leave home) and variations by parental gender and cultural
background. This study is primarily based on in-depth telephone interviews conducted in 2006
and 2007 with a subsample (n = 316) of parents from four cultural groups (British, Chinese,
Southern European, and Indo/east Indian) living in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. a mixedmethodological approach is used whereby both quantitative and qualitative strategies are
combined. Findings reveal that overall only a minority of parents report having experienced the
empty nest syndrome. However, cultural background and other socio demographic and relational
processes are found to influence the likelihood of reporting this condition. With increasing
cultural diversity in North American society, these results have the potential to shed light on a
significant life course transition.

Parental Role Change During the Empty- Nest

By: Judy Ann Wilkinson 1989
Abstract
Several role transitions are experienced throughout the life course. Today, more couples are
living longer, healthier lives. They are choosing to have fewer children and delay childbearing.
Therefore, parents will spend more time as middle- aged adults in an empty- nest. The purpose of
this study is to describe the transitions that occur in the parental role and the parent- child
relationship during the empty- nest. Fifteen married couples were interviewed. A grouped t- test
was used to look at the parental role when children were living at home compared to when the
last child had moved out based upon gender. Gender was found to be significant. A grouped ttest was used to look at differences in parents response based upon the length of the time the last
child had been gone from home. Significant results were found for those children that had been
gone from the home thirty- one months or less.
Crisis and/or Relief? An explanation of Mothers and Fathers Experience
of the Empty Nest Transition
By: Heather Conover 2005
Abstract
A popular belief is that mothers experience an empty nest syndrome when their young adult
children leave home. Recent researcher, however, challenge this notion, with its associated time
of depression, crisis and grief. However, there is a lack of researcher on both mothers and
fathers experiences of this transition, as well as the role of ethnocultural background on its
transition. Building upon life course theory, this study examines parental experience of the empty
nest transition and what effects it has on parental emotional health and well being, while taking
into account gender, ethic background, and other contextual factor. This mixed methods study
uses data from telephone surveys (a sub- sample of 316 British, Chinese, Southern European and
Indo/East Indian parents) and sixteen in-depth interviews. Findings reveal variation by gender,
ethic background,and socio- demographic characteristic. Finally, coping strategies and
community programs that could help parents who are experiencing this transition will be
highlighted.
The Empty Nest Syndrome: Ways to Enhance Quality of Life
By: Dianbing Chen, Xinxiao Yang & Steve Dale Aagard
Abstract
Empty nest syndrome occurs as a result of urbanization and loosened relationships among family
members. It may threaten the life quality of older adults and stability of society as a whole. This
survey was designed to investigate the situation and factors that influence the life quality of a
sample of older adults in a western state. Thirty-five respondents completed surveys that
included questions relating to quality of life and living conditions of older adults living in the

empty nest. This study showed that although most of the people did not live with their family
members, the relationship with their family members appeared to greatly influence their life
quality. It also showed the healthier they were and the more activities they participated in, the
higher their life qualities were.
Midlife Challenge or Welcome Departure? Cultural and Family- Related Expectations of
Empty Nest Transition
By: Barbara A. Mitchell & Andrew Wister
Abstract
Mid- and later-life parental transitions to the empty nest are characterized by increasing
complexity, uncertainty, and variability. Drawing upon a life course perspective coupled with a
sociocultural stress model, this mixed-methods study focuses on parental perceptions of
anticipated emotional challenge associated with their childrens homeleaving and how this is
shaped by ethnic culture and other family-related factors. Data entail a subsample of 174 midlife
parents (mean age 14 51.8) with at least one adult child aged 18 to 35 living at home, collected
as part of the Mid/Later Life Parenting Project. Study participants belonged to British-,
Chinese-, Southern European-, or South-Asian groups living in Metro Vancouver, BC. Analyses
indicate that societal and ethnic group norms, relationship quality, and living arrangement
preferences, as well as supportive exchanges and economic constraints (e.g., housing costs)
influence empty nest perceptions and pathways. Implications of these findings are applied to
aging families and family development.
Transition to the Empty Nest: A Phenomenological Study
By: Hui-Ling Lai (2002)
Abstract
This qualitative research was a pilot study, which was designed with the aim of exploring the
experience of empty nest from two women's perspective. The transcripts were analyzed followed
the procedures and techniques of ground theory. The theoretical perspective of the study was
based on Parse Theory. Results addressed that women undergoing the empty nest experience
encountered complicated emotions, in which the following themes were elicited: feeling sad,
feeling relived, wondering about oneself, loving children, dealing with missing someone, dealing
with transition, coping with anxieties and denial, seeking supports, and feeling positive. In
general, the empty nest gave the subjects mixed feelings. The study suggests that developmental
counseling for middle-aged women cannot exist in standard programs with same aims for all
participants, but should begin with individuals and situational determinants of each woman. (Tzu
Chi Nursing Journal 2002; 1(3):88-94)
Entering the Empty Nest Stage: a Multi-Method Exploration of Womens Life Experiences
and Coping Strategies in Periods of Life Stage Transition
By: Carolyn Folkman Curasi, Berry College, U.S.A.
Margaret K. Hogg, UMIST, United Kingdom

Pauline Maclaran, De Montfort University, United Kingdom

Abstract
This investigation seeks to increase our understanding of the complex relationship between
consumer behavior and the psycho-social needs of individuals as they experience different life
stages (Schouten 1991). In this project we investigate the life experiences and coping strategies
female consumers use to negotiate identities and reconstruct the self in concert with role status
transitions. Specifically, we explore the behaviors and experiences of mothers whose grown
children have recently left their homes. We seek to better understand the "lived experience"
(Thompson, Locander, and Pollio 1989) of women who are negotiating the role status transition
from being a mother with children in their homes to that of being a mother recently cast into the
empty nest stage of the family life cycle. The strategies which contemporary women use to
negotiate this role status transition are identified and examined. We explore the behavior and
experience of 'communitas of empty nesters as 'liminal consumers and the use of disposition
and consumption in the reconstruction of self during the transitionary period. This research
design utilized mixed methods to collect two separate data sets using an interpretive
methodology. Semi-structured in-person interviews and netnography were used to develop an
understanding of the life experiences of contemporary women negotiating the role transition of
the empty nest stage.

Theories:
Adlerian Views of Marriage
As an Adlerian view of marriage indicates, there is no hierarchy in a marriage between equals.
Either spouse is capable of providing leadership as needed or wanted and is comfortable with his
or her spouses doing the same. With their hierarchical views of marriage, social scientists have
become too focused on who does what or who decides what. Perhaps couples themselves have a
clearer sense of what true equality entails. The concept that marital equality is left for the couple
to define can be a freeing idea for many couples. Realizing that either can provide leadership or
be led and knowing that the roles can and should adapt as needed is important as couples grow
together. Adler approaches marriage much like his approach to life, in that lens of social interest
that allows us to realize and serve the larger community. In holding an empathetic stance in
marriage, each couple is better able to serve not only their marriage, but largely be a healthier
individual as well. When looking at the third contrasting characteristic in marriage, commitment
versus evasion, White Blanton (2000) states, ... essential to Adlers description of marriage is
the concept of comradeship, which describes the social and emotional union of two individuals
in marriage (p. 412). Friendship and enjoying time together is at the core of marriage. As
couples go through life cycles and transitions, the time spent together is essential in identifying
their marital strengths and purpose. Focusing on the goals as a couple but also toward the greater
society provides an outline for positive marital satisfaction.
Circumplex Model of Marital & Family Systems

By: David H. Olson, Ph.D.

The Circumplex Model focuses on the three central dimensions of marital and family systems:
cohesion, flexibility and communication. The major hypothesis of the Circumplex Model is that
Balanced couple and family systems tended to be more functional compared to Unbalanced
systems. In over 250 studies using FACES as a linear measure, strong support has been found for
this hypothesis. In several studies using the Clinical Rating Scale, a curvilinear measure, the
hypothesis is also supported. These two assessment tools are designed for research, for clinical
assessment and treatment planning with couples and families.
Role Theory
We all have internal schemas about the role of leaders, based on what we read, discuss and so on.
We subtly send these expectations to our leaders, acting as role senders, for example through the
balance of decisions we take upon ourselves and the decisions we leave to the leader. Leaders are
influenced by these signals, particularly if they are sensitive to the people around them, and will
generally conform to these, playing the leadership role that is put upon them by others. Within
organizations, there is much formal and informal information about what the leader's role should
be, including 'leadership values', culture, training sessions, modeling by senior managers, and so
on. These and more (including contextual factors) act to shape expectations and behaviors
around leadership. Role conflict can also occur when people have differing expectations of their
leaders. It also happens when leaders have different ideas about what they should be doing vs.
the expectations that are put upon them.