Letting go : the lived experience of parents when all their children leave home

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the parents' experience during the time when their children leave home; the so-called empty-nest period. A literature review was conducted in order to get a thorough understanding of the subject. Three married couples, whose children left home to get married, were interviewed individually. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used in order to capture the fundamental nature of the experience. The transcripts were then analyzed and interpreted using thematic analysis. Common themes and sub-themes were identified and portrayed, which were then discussed in the light of existing literature. Amongst the six major themes giving oneself to a career was found to be a protective factor. Finally any recommendations for future research were suggested.