Empty nest syndrome: Experiences of elderly people at the university of maturity project in amapÁ

Abstract

Objective: To identify how elderly members who participate of the Project University of Maturity (UMAP), of the Federal University of Amapá in Brazil, experience the Empty Nest Syndrome phenomenon. Materials and Methods: Qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, using narratives to understand the story of the participants. Data collection took place with seven elderly people, aged between 63 and 83 years, through semistructured interviews, an focusing on a central question: How was your experience when your children grew up and left home? For data analysis, Bardin’s content analysis was adopted, supported by the software ATLAS. ti version 8.0. To guarantee methodological rigor, the principles of credibility, reliability, confirmability and transferability were respected. Results: The resulting categories emerged from an analytical and explanatory process of the experience lived by the elderly and consisted of three moments: life invaded by loneliness, benefiting from freedom and taking new chances. Conclusion: The study shows that the empty nest experience undergoes different phases. However, the experience at UMAP made it possible to overcome loneliness and transform this experience into an opportunity for strengthening and growth.