Empty nest syndrome: its prevalence and predictors in middle aged adults in Eastern India: Category: Oral Paper Presentation

Empty nest syndrome is a psychological condition commonly experienced by adults when their children leave the family for work or further studies causing a void. The current study aims to see the prevalence of empty nest syndrome in middle aged male and female adults in Eastern India using multi stage stratified random sampling. Second phase of the study attempts to examine the psychological factors contributing to empty nest syndrome. Purposive sampling was done. 30 males and females between 45-55 years of age with empty nest syndrome were compared with 30 adults with no syndromes after their children left. Empty nest syndrome questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence in the population. Existential loneliness, Family environment scale, Temperament and Character Inventory were done to assess the presence of contributing psychological and personality factors. Obtained data was statistically analysed using Mann Whitney U Test, Spearman Correlation Test and Hierarchical regression. Prevalence was found to be high amongst females as compared to males. Mann Whitney U test revealed significant difference in the two groups in terms of psychological and personality factors. This study helps to assess the prevalence, and contributing psychological factors which would be useful in formulating preventive and intervention strategies.