Khatir Maryam Ahmadi, Modanloo Mahnaz, Dadgari Ali, Yeganeh Leila Teymouri, Khoddam Homeira
PhD Student of Nursing and Midwifery School, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
Psychiatric Nursing Department, Nursing Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
J Educ Health Promot. 2024 Jul 29;13:269. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_874_23. eCollection 2024.
Empty nest syndrome (ENS) is parents' experience to their children leaving home. Considering the lack of a clear definition of this concept and its context-based nature, this study aimed to define the ENS concept.
A three-phase concept analysis using a hybrid model was used. In the theoretical (first) phase, a literature review was conducted using Scopus, WOS, PubMed, ProQuest, Irandoc, Research.idml, Magiran, and SID, with the search terms "empty nest syndrome," "aged," and "middle-aged," and their synonyms, with no time and language restrictions until the end of 2021. After the screening, 29 relevant articles entered the study. According to the findings of the first phase, the fieldwork (second) phase was directed using the qualitative content analysis approach, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine elderly and middle-aged individuals with an open-ended question. Results from both were included in the final (third) phase.
The theoretical phase created an operational definition to guide the fieldwork phase. The fieldwork phase resulted in the emergence of six themes. The final analysis phase formulated a comprehensive definition of this concept: "ENS is a subjective phenomenon that occurs as a result of parents' reaction to their children leaving home." This transition from crisis to self-regaining includes the stages of mourning or resistance reaction, feelings of loss or passive behaviors, sublimation or impulsive behaviors, adaptation, and relief. It initiates with the last child's departure and continues until two years.
Exploration of the concept of ENS can be the basis for designing a model or theoretical framework, devising measurement instruments for the concept and its consequences, and developing programs to increase the healthcare team's awareness to identify the problem and conduct appropriate preventive or therapeutic measures.
空巢综合征（ENS）是父母在子女离家时的体验。鉴于该概念缺乏明确的定义且具有基于情境的性质，本研究旨在界定ENS的概念。
采用混合模型进行三阶段概念分析。在理论（第一）阶段，使用Scopus、WOS、PubMed、ProQuest、Irandoc、Research.idml、Magiran和SID进行文献综述，检索词为“空巢综合征”“老年人”和“中年人”及其同义词，检索时间和语言均无限制，截至2021年底。筛选后，29篇相关文章进入研究。根据第一阶段的研究结果，采用定性内容分析法指导实地调查（第二）阶段，并对9名老年人和中年人进行半结构化访谈，提出开放式问题。前两个阶段的结果都纳入了最后（第三）阶段。
理论阶段创建了一个操作定义以指导实地调查阶段。实地调查阶段产生了六个主题。最终分析阶段形成了该概念的全面定义：“ENS是一种主观现象，是父母对子女离家的反应所导致的。”这种从危机到自我恢复的转变包括哀悼或抵抗反应、失落感或被动行为、升华或冲动行为、适应和缓解等阶段。它始于最后一个孩子离家，并持续两年。
对ENS概念的探索可为设计模型或理论框架、设计该概念及其后果的测量工具以及制定提高医疗团队识别问题并采取适当预防或治疗措施意识的项目提供依据。
