Exploring The lived Experiences of the Elderly in Adapting to an empty nest; A phenomenological study

This research aimed to investigate the lived experiences of elderly individuals in relation to the empty nest phenomenon. A combined methodological approach was utilized for this qualitative study, employing a phenomenological method. Participants were purposefully selected using a targeted sampling method until theoretical saturation was reached. Ultimately, 17 elderly individuals residing in empty nests were chosen to undergo in-depth interviews. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive phenomenological analysis. The empirical exploration of participants' experiences in confronting an empty nest led to the identification of eight main themes and 25 sub-themes: 1) Sobriety and adaptation (self-reflection and reliance on personal capabilities), 2) Self-care (engaging in pleasurable and health-promoting activities, receiving psychological services, and engaging in mindfulness exercises), 3) Attitudinal changes (revising perspectives on separation from children and nurturing hope for future reunions), 4) Emotional regulation strategies (accepting emotions related to separation, reevaluating memories, journaling thoughts and feelings, avoiding cognitive rumination, and learning from peer experiences), 5) Strengthening social bonds (determination to improve communication, perception of network support, utilizing support from family and parents, participating in collective activities, and maintaining connections and obtaining information about children), 6) Purposeful growth experience (resuming scholarly and cultural activities, reinterpreting life's meaning, and enhancing resilience and adaptability), 7) Focusing on self-fulfillment (prioritizing happiness and satisfaction for their children and assisting individuals with similar issues), and 8) Enhancing spiritual connections and engaging in religious activities (expressing gratitude, relying on faith, and participating in religious and spiritual activities).