Quality of life and its salient predictors in a sample of Lebanese parents experiencing the empty-nest stage -

Abstract

Quality of life refers to individuals’ perception of their position in life in the context of their culture and value systems and in relation to their goals and concerns. Empty-nest is a stage encountered in midlife when children leave their parental home permanently. This study is concerned with an examination of the quality of life of parents experiencing the empty-nest stage. The few studies that assessed these variables have presented mixed results. Some researchers have argued that the transition to empty-nest presents parents with an opportunity to engage in less stressful roles, freeing up time and energy that could be invested in enjoyable activities and quality time with their partners, which favorably impact quality of life. Others have argued that the transition is a time of crisis and a time at which parents experience a poorer quality of life. This study examined this stage of the life cycle while incorporating the themes of stress and coping, as the failure to cope with the demands of this stage might produce social and psychological outcomes for the parents, adversely affecting their quality of life. The primary aim of this study, which seems to be the first in Lebanon to target the empty-nest stage, was to examine through conducting an exploratory backward regression the extent to which extraversion, neuroticism, and perceived social support predict the quality of life of parents experiencing this stage. The study also explored through a series of hierarchical regressions the extent to which select socio-demographic and other influential variables would impact the quality of life of these parents. A battery of questionnaires assessing quality of life, extraversion, neuroticism, and perceived social support was administered to Lebanese parents experiencing the empty-nest stage. The sample size consisted of 118 participants recruited from various regions in Greater Beirut. Results showed that perceived social support significantly and positively predicted quality of life, and that neuroticis