Abstract
Introduction: The aging population poses a significant social and healthcare challenge globally. The empty nest syndrome, where parents experience feelings of depression and loneliness when children leave home, is becoming increasingly prevalent. This study aimed to investigate the empty nests, depressive symptoms, and feelings of loneliness in the elderly population in Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020, involving 234 elderly participants aged 60 and older, associated with comprehensive health centers. The participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. The data were collected through demographic questionnaires, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults, comprising romantic, family, and social loneliness subscales. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical methods in SPSS version 22. The Spearman’s correlation was used to determine the relationship between the mean scores of depressive symptoms and feelings of loneliness. Group comparisons were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test (P<0.05).
Results: The study revealed that many elders experienced the empty nest phase (65.89%), with an average age of 63.02±7.97. About 53.2% reported mild to moderate depression levels and 57% feelings of loneliness. The family domain had the highest loneliness rate (76.0%), while the social domain had the lowest rate (50.0%). Individuals with empty nests had significantly higher loneliness scores (79.52±6.40) compared to those without empty nests (49.22±7.36) (P=0.008). No significant difference was observed in depression scores between the two groups (P=0.630). The results of the Spearman correlation test demonstrated a positive and significant relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms in older adults (r=0.598, P<0.001).
Conclusion: Implementing strategies such as conducting sessions with psychologists at healthcare facilities can help diminish feelings of loneliness and depression among this vulnerable group, ultimately improving their overall well-being.