Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faculty Publications Article Faculty Publications -Articles Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mehta, Sanjana; Eldhose, N.J. Title A name given to the resource Transition to an Empty Nest: A Phenomenological Exploration of Homemaker Mothers of Out-of-State College Students Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01-01-2025 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Global Social Welfare; Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-025-00405-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-025-00405-6</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105013821891?origin=resultslist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105013821891?origin=resultslist</a> Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 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 Description An account of the resource 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. Subject The topic of the resource Empty nest; Homemaker mothers; Out-of-state college students; Phenomenology Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH Relation A related resource ISSN: 21968799; Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource online