Faculty Books and Book Chapters
Empty Nest Syndrome
Book Title
Essays in Developmental Psychology
Document Type
Essay
Publication Date
2020
Editors
Randall Summers, Charles Golden, Lisa Lashley, & Erica Ailes
Keywords
empty nest syndrome, maladaptive reaction, mothers' distress, parenting, transition
Description
Excerpt
Empty nest is a stage in development when children leave the parental home, thus leaving it “empty.” This stage occurs when children are at the age or point in life where they are ready to become independent and create a life of their own. Parents have various reactions to this change. Many parents look forward to this transition and view it as a highly positive event, while others have a more difficult time and deal with what is commonly called the “empty nest syndrome.” Empty syndrome is typically considered a maladaptive reaction to this transition, however this significant phase of life is considered to be a normal developmental event and leaving the home is a natural process of becoming an adult. Parents typically expect their children to leave the home in order to become independent and continue on with their development into adulthood.
Disciplines
Psychology
NSUWorks Citation
Grodner, K.,
Lashley, L. K.,
Golden, C. J.
(2020). Empty Nest Syndrome. Essays in Developmental Psychology.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facbooks/676
Files
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Additional Information
This is one in a collection of essays as part of a project that began as an encyclopedia of developmental psychology coordinated by Dr. Randall Summers. However, for unforeseen reasons, the publisher was no longer in a position to publish the encyclopedia. This project was undertaken so that thousands of hours of work by psychologists would not go wasted. Enjoy these essays and feel free to cite them using the proper format.
Submit suggestions for corrections and topics to goldench@nova.edu.