Relationships between children-related factors, basic psychological need satisfaction, and multiple happiness among urban empty-nesters in China: a structural equation modeling

BACKGROUND: Aging and empty-nesting in China are becoming more and more serious. Empty-nesters refer to older adults who were not living with their children, were living alone, or were living independently with their spouses. The mental health of empty-nesters needs timely attention. Satisfying the needs of older adults is primarily dependent on their children. Therefore, this study aimed to explore relationships between children-related factors, basic psychological need satisfaction, and multiple happiness among urban empty-nesters in China. METHODS: This study employs the Children-related Factors Questionnaire (CFQ), the Chinese Version of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction (BPNS) Scale, and the Multiple Happiness Questionnaire (MHQ) to explore children-related factors, basic psychological need satisfaction and multiple happiness of urban empty-nesters in Fuzhou, China. A total of 507 samples were recruited by cluster sampling. RESULTS: Factors that affect BPNS include physical condition, the number of children, satisfaction with children's marriage, employment and income, retirement, gender, monthly personal income, and self-care have statistical differences (P < 0.05). Factors that affect MHQ include physical condition, the number of children, satisfaction with children's marriage, employment and income, gender, monthly personal income, living status, and self-care have statistical significances (P < 0.05). Structural equation model results showed that BPNS directly impacted MHQ, and factors about children indirectly affect MHQ through BPNS. The mediating role of BPNS in the relationship between children-related factors and MHQ. CONCLUSION: We should encourage our children to spend more time with the empty-nesters and communicate with them, which could help them relieve their negative emotions, satisfy their psychological needs, and improve their well-being. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Reg date: 20/08/2021; No. ChiCTR2100050175. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03640-0.