The Lived Experience of Iranian Mothers in Empty Nest Period: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The aim of the current investigation was to identify the lived experiences of mothers during the empty nest period. Qualitative descriptive phenomenology was implemented in the current investigation. The entire population of research statistics in 2021 comprised all mothers in Tehran whose offspring were all married. The preference sampling method was employed to select 8 individuals from the aforementioned population for the study sample. Interviews were conducted in a semi-structured format, which were subsequently verbatim implemented and analyzed using the Smith and Osborn method. Six primary themes were identified in this investigation:1) The mother's perception of the child; 2) The child choice of spouse; 3) The child's departure from the paternal household; 4) Parenting after the child’s marriage; 5) Communication with the spouse during the empty nest period; and 6) The necessities of old age and aging were identified in the experiences of mothers. Subthemes were present in each of the primary themes. The experience’s substance was also attained through the performance of multifaceted roles that prioritized the preservation of family unity. The research results indicate that children and their affairs are the most sensitive issue for parents, particularly mothers, and that all stages of their lives, including the empty nest stage, are regulated accordingly. The results of the present study can be utilized by families and therapists to fortify the parent-child relationship and the relationship between spouses during the empty nest period.

Keywords

• empty nest
• iranian mothers
• phenomenology