Can Empty Nest Syndrome Cause Divorce?

According to Divorce Mag, the Empty Nest Syndrome is “defined as sadness or emotional distress that will affect parents whose children have grown up and left home.” Marriages may lead to empty nest syndrome and divorce for several reasons: The marriage was neglected.

Is divorce common for empty nesters?

Once the kids move out and the couple finds themselves alone again, many parents decide it is finally time to end the marriage. Without the joint effort of raising children and maintaining the family home, empty nesters are likely to head for divorce in their later years.

What percentage of empty nesters are divorced?

The divorce rate among empty nesters has soared from 1-in-10 to 1-in-4 over the last few years According to studies, including one from the University of Louisville at Kentucky.

How does Empty Nest affect marriage?

Empty Nest Syndrome is a real thing and it can have quite negative effects on one’s marriage. … Lisa’s co-worker explained that empty nest syndrome is common among middle-age parents. It’s characterized by feelings of sadness and loss. Parents become vulnerable to depression, identity crisis, and marital dissatisfaction.

Will my marriage survive empty nest?

Empty Nest Syndrome usually happens when children leave home to go to college, get married, and the very last one has left home and moved away. This is a normal part of life. If you’re not careful, however, Empty Nest Syndrome can lead to divorce.

Does empty nest syndrome go away?

Unlike the grief experienced when (for example) a loved one dies, the grief of empty nest syndrome often goes unrecognised, because an adult child moving out of home is seen as a normal, healthy event. Upset parents may find few sources of support or sympathy.

Do couples divorce after the kids are grown?

Some parents wait to divorce until their children are grown because they are determined not to split up in their formative years or when they are teenagers, which is already an emotionally tumultuous time. … Divorce rates in the United States are declining except among adults 50 and older.

Is Empty Nest Syndrome Real?

Empty nest syndrome isn’t a clinical diagnosis. Instead, empty nest syndrome is a phenomenon in which parents experience feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home. Although you might actively encourage your children to become independent, the experience of letting go can be painful.

Why is gray divorce?

‘Gray divorce’ — getting divorced later in life — is on the rise. … She says ‘gray divorce’ may be caused by factors like longer life expectancy and financial independence. Older couples should consider division of retirement benefits and marital estates in the separation process.

Why do people divorce after kids leave?

In some cases, children moving out may lead to life changes that cause a person to seek divorce. If one spouse withdraws from his or her partner and devotes a lot of time to work, hobbies, or friends, that can put a significant rift in the relationship.


What is the #1 cause of divorce?

The most commonly reported major contributors to divorce were lack of commitment, infidelity, and conflict/arguing. The most common “final straw” reasons were infidelity, domestic violence, and substance use.

What year of marriage is most common for divorce?

While there are countless divorce studies with conflicting statistics, the data points to two periods during a marriage when divorces are most common: years 1 – 2 and years 5 – 8. Of those two high-risk periods, there are two years in particular that stand out as the most common years for divorce — years 7 and 8.

How do you deal with an empty divorce nest?

Coping with an Empty Nest after Divorce
  1. Get Prepared. Buried underneath the joy parents feel as their children mature and embark on life as adults lies a hidden well of despair. …
  2. Become a People Person. …
  3. Rekindle Forgotten Passions. …
  4. Use the Phone. …
  5. Love Yourself.

How long does empty nest syndrome last?

If you are an Empty Nester experiencing symptoms of depression for longer than two weeks, consider seeking treatment from your doctor. For those whose depressive symptoms are part of a long-term pattern, the feelings of loss associated with an “empty nest” may compel them to finally seek relief.

What happens sexless marriage?

If both partners are OK with this type of relationship, it doesn’t call for concern. But often, one or both partners become frustrated or hurt by the loss of physical intimacy and sex. A sexless marriage is defined as a marriage with little or no sexual activity between the partners.

How do I find my purpose after empty nest?

A Step-by-Step Plan For Finding Your Purpose in the Empty Nest
  1. Get to Know Yourself (Again) When your kids were in the nest, you may not have spent a lot of time on introspection! …
  2. Find Your Passion(s) …
  3. Don’t Look Around (Too Much) …
  4. Persevere. …
  5. Separate Your Worth From Your “Work”