How Do Parents React When Their Children Leave Home? An Integrative Review

How Do Parents React When Their Children Leave Home? An Integrative Review The empty nest, which refers to the phase of the family life cycle following the departure of children, has been associated with both positive and negative consequences for parents. This article aims to achieve a better understanding of the complex effects of this transition. It discusses available data and theoretical perspectives on the empty nest, from pioneering works until the most recent studies on the subject. It includes a discussion of conceptualization and methodological issues, as well as a review of determinants of nest leaving. The influence of the departure of children on their parents’ marital quality and psychological well-being, including the potential development of empty-nest syndrome, are then summarized. Studies examining other parental outcome, such as marital instability or relationships with adult children, are also reviewed. It ends with a discussion on boomerang kids and directions for future research. In particular, the need to study the empty-nest period with parents living in a variety of marital situations is acknowledged. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Adult Development Springer Journals

How Do Parents React When Their Children Leave Home? An Integrative Review

Bouchard, Geneviève
Journal of Adult Development, Volume 21 (2) – Oct 26, 2013
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Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2013 by Springer Science+Business Media New York
Subject
Psychology; Psychology, general; Personality and Social Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Aging; Cognitive Psychology
ISSN
1068-0667
eISSN
1573-3440
DOI
10.1007/s10804-013-9180-8
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The empty nest, which refers to the phase of the family life cycle following the departure of children, has been associated with both positive and negative consequences for parents. This article aims to achieve a better understanding of the complex effects of this transition. It discusses available data and theoretical perspectives on the empty nest, from pioneering works until the most recent studies on the subject. It includes a discussion of conceptualization and methodological issues, as well as a review of determinants of nest leaving. The influence of the departure of children on their parents’ marital quality and psychological well-being, including the potential development of empty-nest syndrome, are then summarized. Studies examining other parental outcome, such as marital instability or relationships with adult children, are also reviewed. It ends with a discussion on boomerang kids and directions for future research. In particular, the need to study the empty-nest period with parents living in a variety of marital situations is acknowledged.

Journal

Journal of Adult Development – Springer Journals

Published: Oct 26, 2013

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