COLUMBUS, Ohio — Americans are waiting to have kids compared to previous generations, which means they’re older when the kids leave for college, jobs or other adulthood pursuits, and the parents become known as empty nesters.

While it describes a lifestyle transition, it’s not a clinical term, but it has clinical consequences.

Cherrie Park, MSW, and a Ph.D. student in the Ohio State University College of Social Work, along with assistant professor Nancy Mendoza Ph.D., reviewed 18 studies done in Asia and published from 2007 to 2019 on the mental health effects of becoming an empty nester later in life, at or after age 60.

They compared those older empty nesters with those who still had at least one child living at home. They found that in most of the studies, a majority of the empty nesters were at higher risk for poor mental health than their counterparts, including depression.

“They might display different reactions or adaptabilities than mid-life empty nesters considering other changes related to the aging process,” Park said.

The duo found that gender, education and income, as well as health conditions and behaviors, were among the contributing factors.

Women, and empty nesters with lower incomes and less education, were more likely to suffer from depression. They also noted that empty nesters with a strong social support system and reason for being reported less depression.

Park and Mendoza’s review noted that while factors like gender and economic status cannot be easily changed, other factors, like social support, are variable and something health care providers can focus on to support older empty nesters who are struggling.

The Mental Health Review Journal published the review.