Health Service Needs from a Household Perspective: An Empirical Study in Rural Empty Nest Families in Sinan and Dangyang, China

Empty nest syndrome: A concept analysis

BACKGROUND

Empty nest syndrome (ENS) is parents' experience to their children leaving home. Considering the lack of a clear definition of this concept and its context-based nature, this study aimed to define the ENS concept.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A three-phase concept analysis using a hybrid model was used. In the theoretical (first) phase, a literature review was conducted using Scopus, WOS, PubMed, ProQuest, Irandoc, Research.idml, Magiran, and SID, with the search terms "empty nest syndrome," "aged," and "middle-aged," and their synonyms, with no time and language restrictions until the end of 2021. After the screening, 29 relevant articles entered the study. According to the findings of the first phase, the fieldwork (second) phase was directed using the qualitative content analysis approach, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine elderly and middle-aged individuals with an open-ended question. Results from both were included in the final (third) phase.

RESULTS

The theoretical phase created an operational definition to guide the fieldwork phase. The fieldwork phase resulted in the emergence of six themes. The final analysis phase formulated a comprehensive definition of this concept: "ENS is a subjective phenomenon that occurs as a result of parents' reaction to their children leaving home." This transition from crisis to self-regaining includes the stages of mourning or resistance reaction, feelings of loss or passive behaviors, sublimation or impulsive behaviors, adaptation, and relief. It initiates with the last child's departure and continues until two years.

CONCLUSION

Exploration of the concept of ENS can be the basis for designing a model or theoretical framework, devising measurement instruments for the concept and its consequences, and developing programs to increase the healthcare team's awareness to identify the problem and conduct appropriate preventive or therapeutic measures.

Intergenerational reciprocity and WHO function ability domains predict loneliness in older Chinese adults

OBJECTIVES

To examine loneliness in old age and whether intergenerational reciprocity and WHO functional ability predicted loneliness.

METHODS

Using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study Wave 4 (2018) database (CHARLS), logistic regression models were adopted to investigate the relationships.

RESULTS

The prevalence of loneliness was 28% in older people in China. Corresponding to the five domains of functional abilities, providing financial support to adult children (adj. OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70-0.99), self-perceived health (adj. OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.19-1.41), having a retirement pension (adj. OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.93), the ability to decide on taking medications (adj. OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10-1.58), as well as being able to get up from a chair (adj. OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.3), and having paid work (adj. OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54-0.95) were associated with less loneliness. On the contrary, infrequent contact (once a month) with adult children (adj. OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.38), troubling body pain (adj. OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.10-1.23) and falling since the last interview (adj. OR .23, 95% CI 1.04-1.45) were positively associated with loneliness.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, functional abilities of meeting basic needs, making decisions, being mobile and contributing to the support of adult children and society were protective factors for experiencing loneliness in late life. We need to rethink interventions for addressing loneliness in the context of healthy ageing and specific cultural values, taking into account not only providing services to older adults but also supporting them to gain values by contributing to society.