ANXIETY IN MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS IN THE “EMPTY NEST” PHASE

Abstract

Transitions in the adult life cycle can have significant psychological effects, with the “empty nest” phase—when adult children leave the parental home—being particularly sensitive and meaningful. Although empty nest syndrome has been associated with loneliness, depression, and stress, empirical evidence regarding anxiety in middle-aged adults remains limited. This cross-sectional study examined levels of anxiety and the association between anxiety, gender, social support, and perceived role change among adults in the empty nest phase.The sample consisted of 64 participants (aged 45–60 years) who completed the adapted DASS instrument (anxiety subscale) and a demographic questionnaire. The sample consisted of 64 middle-aged participants (54.7% women; mean age = 52 years) who had at least one adult child who had left home. Anxiety was measured using the Anxiety subscale of the DASS-21. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, correlation analyses, and multiple regression were conducted. Results indicated that 53% of participants reported moderate to extremely severe levels of anxiety (M = 10.9 ± 4.5), suggesting that the empty nest transition may constitute a psychologically vulnerable period. Women demonstrated significantly higher anxiety scores than men (t = 3.1, p = 0.003). Social support was negatively correlated with anxiety (r = -0.46, p < 0.001), whereas perceived role change was positively correlated with anxiety (r = 0.52, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that female gender (β = 0.28, p = 0.007), lower social support (β = -0.34, p < 0.001), and greater perceived role change (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of anxiety, explaining 42% of the variance (R² = 0.42).The results indicated elevated anxiety in a significant portion of the sample, suggesting the need for interventions to support psychological well-being during this critical life transition.Additionally, the study showed that women in the sample had higher average levels of anxiety compared to men, consistent with previous research on gender differences in psychological vulnerability. Social support emerged as a significant protective factor, as participants reporting higher levels of support from family, friends, or the community demonstrated lower anxiety. Perceived role change, particularly among those who experienced it as substantial, was strongly associated with higher anxiety levels. Psychological stress related to adjusting to new roles and the absence of daily child-related responsibilities may increase the prevalence of anxiety symptoms.These findings highlight the importance of developing psychosocial interventions focused on stress management training, relaxation techniques, and mental health support within family and social contexts. The results also emphasize the need to consider individual differences in the experience of the empty nest and to develop personalized coping strategies. Psychological interventions may include group sessions, psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and activities aimed at enhancing social connectedness. The study further suggests that preventive measures prior to children leaving home could reduce anxiety and facilitate the transition. Overall, the findings indicate a complex interaction between personal characteristics, social environment, and gender differences as determinants of anxiety in middle adulthood.