Transition to an Empty Nest: A Phenomenological Exploration of Homemaker Mothers of Out-of-State College Students

Title

Transition to an Empty Nest: A Phenomenological Exploration of Homemaker Mothers of Out-of-State College Students

Creator

Mehta, Sanjana; Eldhose, N.J.

Description

This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of Indian homemaker mothers transitioning to an empty nest, focusing on middle-aged mothers emotional, psychological, and cultural dimensions. Five homemaker mothers, aged between 46 and 50, with at least one child attending an out-of-state college in Bengaluru, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using Colaizzis descriptive phenomenological method, which revealed 95 minor themes organised into 9 major themes and 4 overarching categories. The findings highlight a complex emotional intersectionality where feelings of pride and joy in their childrens achievements coexisted with sadness, loneliness, and loss. Cultural expectations surrounding motherhood in India, which emphasises maternal self-sacrifice, further emphasised the emotional challenges the participants face. Coping strategies such as spirituality, social support, and technology emerged as key elements in navigating the transition, with participants often using prayer and digital communication to maintain emotional bonds with their children. The study also found that the empty nest transition triggered a redefinition of parental roles and personal identity. Participants with higher education levels were better equipped to embrace this phase as an opportunity for self-growth, while others struggled with their diminished caregiving role. Technology played a dual roleoffering emotional comfort through digital connection and fostering dependency and frustration. Overall, the empty nest experience for Indian homemaker mothers is emotionally challenging and a potential period of personal rediscovery, shaped by cultural norms and the evolving role of family dynamics. This research provides a culturally specific perspective on a largely Western-studied phenomenon, offering insights for further investigation into the changing maternal identity in India. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Source

Global Social Welfare;

Date

01-01-2025

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

Subject

Empty nest; Homemaker mothers; Out-of-state college students; Phenomenology

Coverage

Mehta S., School of Psychological Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to Be University), Karnataka, Bangalore, India; Eldhose N.J., School of Psychological Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to Be University), Karnataka, Bangalore, India

Rights

Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library

Relation

ISSN: 21968799;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Article

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-025-00405-6

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105013821891?origin=resultslist