Analyzing the Coping Strategies of People Involved in the Empty-Nest Syndrome with High Psychological Well-Being

Motahareh   Norouzi; Mohammad Sajjad  Seydi; Rashidi  Alireza

doi:10.18502/qjcr.v24i94.20082

Motahareh Norouzi Master of Family Counseling, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
Mohammad Sajjad Seydi Ph.D. in Counseling, Assistant Professor of Department of Counseling, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
Rashidi Alireza Ph.D. in Counseling, Associate Professor of Department of Counseling, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/qjcr.v24i94.20082

Keywords: coping strategies; empty nest syndrome; psychological well-being; phenomenology

Abstract

Aim: Empty nest syndrome refers to the feelings of sadness and loneliness experienced by parents or caregivers after their children leave home. This study aimed to explore the coping strategies employed by individuals with this syndrome who demonstrate high levels of psychological well-being. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used. In 2023, 137 parents from Islam Abad Gharb, Iran, completed the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire (Dahashiri et al., 2013), of whom 23 scored more than one standard deviation above the mean. Based on inclusion criteria, 13 participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via unstructured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method, following three stages of open, axial, and selective coding. Findings: Analysis yielded 251 open codes, 39 axial codes, and 3 selective codes, reflecting individual, family, and social coping strategies. Conclusion: The use of individual strategies such as self-awareness and positive thinking, family strategies including enhanced communication and empathy, and social strategies such as participation in religious and community activities can help alleviate symptoms of empty nest syndrome and promote better psychological adaptation among parents.