Psychological Well-Being of Elderly Parents Living With Children and in Empty Nest Families: Gender Differentials

This study entitled aimed to assess the “Gender differences in psychological well being of elderly parents living in two different settings i.e. those with children and in empty nest families. The sample included 60 elderly couples selected from middle income families of Ludhiana City . The results revealed that elderly women in both the settings were more prone to psychological problems than elderly men. However, the problems were more severe among elderly in empty nest families than those living with children. The elderly mothers in empty nests suffered from all types of psychological problems at significantly higher rate as compared to those living in full nest, except sensitivity. However, sensitivity was found to be the major problem in women but it was equally highest in both the settings. It shows that psychological health of mothers was more affected by their children leaving the home as compared to the fathers.