Coping with the Empty Nest: The Role of Loneliness, Distress, and Emotion Dysregulation in Problematic Series Watching Among Parents of Immigrant Offspring

Coping with the Empty Nest: The Role of Loneliness, Distress, and Emotion Dysregulation in Problematic Series Watching Among Parents of Immigrant Offspring | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Coping with the Empty Nest: The Role of Loneliness, Distress, and Emotion Dysregulation in Problematic Series Watching Among Parents of Immigrant Offspring Rimple Dahiya, RAJESH KUMAR, Nitin Anand, Manoj Kumar Sharma This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6692946/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background There is rising concern regarding the increasing population of older adults who face unique challenges, including the empty-nest phase. This study aimed to examine the role of loneliness, emotion regulation, and psychological distress for problematic series watching behavior in empty-nest parents of immigrant offspring. Methods The study employed a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 64 empty-nest parents, aged 45–65 years (Mean = 53.50 years). The tools administered included a sociodemographic data sheet, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Kessler Psychological Distress (K10), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short form (DERS-SF), and Problematic Series Watching Scale (PSWS). Results Results showed that loneliness was positively correlated with psychological distress (r = 0.661, p < 0.001), greater difficulties in emotion regulation (r = 0.467, p < 0.001) and problematic series watching (r = 0.447, p < 0.001). Furthermore, difficulty in emotion regulation was also significantly correlated with problematic series watching (r = 0.327, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that problematic series watching may function as a maladaptive coping mechanism in response to emotional challenges and loneliness. Participants were divided into two subgroups based on loneliness levels: Low Loneliness group−(n = 42), and High Loneliness group (n = 22). The High Loneliness group reported significantly higher psychological distress, emotion regulation difficulty, and problematic series watching. A gender-based analysis [Men (n = 30), and Women (n = 34)] revealed that women reported significantly higher loneliness and psychological distress than men. Conclusion The study underscores the need for systematic assessment and intervention targeting loneliness and psychological distress among empty-nest parents. Furthermore, problematic series watching may serve as a coping strategy that could adversely impact their physical and mental well-being. Loneliness Emotion Dysregulation Problematic Series Watching Empty-Nest Parent Psychological Distress 1. Introduction The ‘Empty-nest’ is a relatively recent phenomenon that has emerged as a result of industrialization, urbanization, and globalization. There have been rapid changes in family structures, such as a shift toward predominantly nuclear families, delayed childbearing, and a shorter duration of co-residence between parents and offspring. These demographic shifts have contributed to the emergence of what is now known as the “empty nest period” — a transitional phase in the family life cycle when adult children leave home to live independently, thereby leaving older parents to live alone or solely with their spouse ( 1 ). The concept of the "empty nest" was introduced within the framework of the family life cycle theory ( 2 ). According to this theory, empty-nest is referred to the stage in which last child moved away from home to one’s partners’ death. This phase has more recently been defined as a stage in which children move out, leaving elderly parents to live alone or with a partner, and such individuals are often labeled “empty-nest parents” or “empty-nest elders”, ( 3 , 4 ). In other words, the empty-nest phase refers to the life stage during which adult children depart the family home to pursue higher education, career opportunities, or independent living. Several factors—including increased life expectancy, lower fertility rates, delayed parenthood, and shifts in family structure—have contributed to the growing population of older adults experiencing the empty-nest phase ( 1 , 4 ). Studies have reported that empty-nest period is often associated with increased loneliness, elevated stress and reduced psychological well-being ( 5 – 8 ). The Role Loss Model ( 9 ) posits that the migration of children can diminish parents’ sense of purpose and fulfillment—particularly in mothers. The departure of children can disrupt established caregiving routines, erode a sense of normalcy, and introduce uncertainty into daily life. This sense of emptiness and purposelessness may intensify emotional distress and contribute to clinical manifestations of depression and anxiety ( 10 , 11 ). Studies have also highlighted that reduced face-to-face interaction with children significantly contributes to feelings of loneliness and diminished well-being among older adults ( 8 , 12 ). With technological advancements, a range of behavioral addictions—distinct from substance-based addictions—have become increasingly prevalent. One such behavioral pattern is problematic series watching (also it may refer to binge-watching). which involves viewing multiple episodes of a television or web-based series in rapid succession through platforms such as Netflix or YouTube. This behavior, while often recreational, can evolve into a problematic pattern characterized by compulsive use and emotional dependency. The emphasis is placed on the behavioral symptoms of addiction rather than the medium (e.g., television, smartphone, or tablet). Engagement with digital media is often perceived as a coping mechanism for managing stress and emotional discomfort ( 13 ). A study by Pontes et al. ( 14 ) found that when participants were asked to identify their top three online activities, one-third reported that watching videos and movies was their most preferred choice. Problematic series watching can be conceptualized using Griffiths’ components model of behavioral addiction ( 15 ), which informed the development of the Problematic Series Watching Scale (PSWS) ( 16 ). The core components include: (a) salience , where watching series becomes the most important activity, dominating one’s thoughts and daily routines; (b) mood modification , where viewing is used as a way to regulate or improve emotional states; (c) tolerance , marked by the need to spend more time watching to achieve the same psychological effect as before; (d) withdrawal , which involves experiencing discomfort or irritability when unable to watch; (e) conflict , where the habit disrupts personal relationships or interferes with responsibilities; and (f) relapse , referring to the return to excessive viewing habits after a period of control or abstinence. Older adults may gravitate toward series watching as a preferred recreational and emotional regulation activity, with characteristics similar to those seen in substance-based addictions ( 17 , 18 ). The Media Systems Dependency Theory ( 19 , 20 ) posits that individuals may rely on media consumption as a way to manage identity insecurity or social alienation. Supporting this, research has shown that individuals experiencing loneliness tend to consume more television content ( 21 ). Despite these insights, there remains a paucity of research exploring how empty-nest parents specifically cope with loneliness and psychological distress in the digital age. While some studies have addressed the sociological, economic, or psychological dimensions of the empty-nest phenomenon, few have examined the potential role of media engagement—particularly problematic series watching—as a coping strategy. Moreover, studies have rarely employed psychometrically validated tools based on behavioral addiction criteria, such as the Problematic Series Watching Scale. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the role of loneliness, psychological distress, and emotion regulation, in relation to problematic series-watching behavior among empty-nest parents of immigrant offspring. 2. Method 2.1 Sample and procedure A cross-sectional research design was employed in this study. Parents in the empty-nest phase (i.e., whose children had migrated and been living away for more than two years) were identified and recruited from the community with the assistance of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). To maintain sample heterogeneity, only one parent per household was included in the data collection. The non-probability convenience sampling method was used for recruiting the study participants. 2.2Instruments: The following tools were employed in the study: Sociodemographic Data Sheet : A sociodemographic data sheet was prepared to collect the basic demographic information, including name, age, gender, education, family type, number of children who migrated, country of residence of the children, and duration since migration. UCLA Loneliness Scale-version 3 ( 22 ): Loneliness scale was developed by the Russell and colleagues ( 23 ) this scale measures subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation. The version used in this study contains 20 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) ( 24 ): The K10 is a widely validated measure of psychological distress comprising 10 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF) ( 25 ): The short form of the DERS contains 18 items and evaluates difficulties in emotional regulation. It is divided into six subscales: non-acceptance of emotional responses, goals, impulse, awareness, strategies, and clarity. Higher scores reflect greater difficulties in emotion regulation. The scale has strong convergent and concurrent validity and is widely used in both clinical and research settings. The scale shows excellent internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.88 ( 26 ). Problematic Series Watching Scale (PSWS) ( 16 ): The PSWS consists 6-items and assesses the extent of problematic binge-watching behaviors. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "Never" scored 1 to "Always" scored 5, with higher scores indicating more severe binge-watching tendencies. It captures core elements of behavioral addiction, such as preoccupation, difficulty controlling viewing time, and interference with responsibilities. The scale has shown strong internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.80) across various studies ( 16 ). 2.3 Declaration and Data Collection : To ensure ease of participation, a Google form was created comprising study information, inclusion/exclusion criteria, informed consent, sociodemographic data sheet, and all scales. The link was distributed via the NGO working with empty-nest parents. Inclusion criteria were: parents in empty-nest phase residing in India, age between 45–65 years. Exclusion criteria were: self-reported psychiatric illness, parents undergoing psychotherapy, and single parenthood due to death, divorce or separation. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institute’s ethics committee (Ref.No.: NIMH/DO/BEH.Sc.Div./2023-24). The study adhered to the ethical standards outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (1975, and subsequent revisions). Participation in the study was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained prior completing the questionnaire from each participant. All participants were informed about the study’s purpose and assured of their right to withdraw at any stage without providing a reason. They were also informed that there is no financial compensation. 2.2 Data analysis : The data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences – version 20 (IBM SPSS- 20). Two-tailed statistical tests were conducted with a significance level set at p = 0.05. Study variables were tested for the normality using Shapiro-Wilk test, which revealed that most variables were not normally distributed. Therefore, non-parametric statistical methods were employed. Descriptive statistics were computed. Chi-square test, Spearman Correlation Test and Mann–Whitney U test was used to examine demographic characteristics, correlation among study variables and to identify significant group differences. 3. Results 3.1 Sample characteristics : The sample comprised 64 participants, of whom 46.9% (n = 30) were male and 53.1% (n = 34) were female. The majority belonged to the middle socioeconomic status (n = 57; 89.1%), and were from nuclear families (n = 54; 84.4%). Regarding educational background, 31.2% (n = 20) had completed primary education, 32.8% (n = 21) had a high school education, and 36.0% (n = 23) held a graduate or postgraduate degree. Participants were predominantly from Haryana (n = 31, 46.3%), Karnataka (n = 16, 23.9%), and Punjab (n = 11, 16.4%). Majority of empty-nest parent reported having two children (n = 43, 67.2%), while 17 participants (26.5%) had only one child who had migrated to another country. The duration of the empty-nest period ranged from 2 years to over 10 years, categorized as follows: [2 years (n = 6 (n = 6; 9.4%, 3–5 years (n = 23; 35.9%) and above 5 years (n = 35; 54.7%)]. 3.2 Association of Loneliness with Psychological Distress, Emotion Dysregulation, and Problematic Series Watching Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between loneliness and psychological distress, emotion dysregulation, and problematic series watching behavior (see Table 1 ). These findings suggest that individuals experiencing greater loneliness also report heightened psychological distress, more difficulties in emotion regulation, and increased engagement in problematic series watching. Table 1 Correlations between Loneliness, Psychological Distress (K10), Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, and Problematic Series Watching (PSWS). Loneliness Psychological distress Emotion dysregulation Problematic Series watching Loneliness 1.000 0.697 ** 0.562 ** 0.538 ** Psychological distress 0.697 ** 1.000 0.390** 0.139 Emotion dysregulation 0.562 ** 0.390 ** 1.000 0.327 ** Problematic Series watching 0.538 ** 0.139 0.327 ** 1.000 ***significant at 0.001; ***significant at 0.01; *significant at 0.05 Furthermore, difficulty in emotion regulation was significantly correlated with both psychological distress and problematic series watching. This pattern may suggest that empty-nest parents engage in binge-watching behaviors as a coping mechanism to manage emotional distress and mood dysregulation. 3.3 Loneliness and its impact on Psychological Distress, Emotion Regulation Difficulties, and Problematic Series watching Score obtained on UCLA Loneliness Scale were categorized into low to high loneliness levels, based on established cut-offs ( 27 , 28 ). Of the 64 participants, 42 individuals (65.7%) were classified as experiencing normal to low levels of loneliness, while 22 participants (34.3%) scored in the moderate to high loneliness range. Based on these scores (severity level of loneliness), two groups were formed namely, Low Loneliness group (n = 42) and High Loneliness group (n = 22). The two groups were compared on psychological distress, difficulties in emotion regulation, and problematic series watching behavior. As shown in Table 2 , there were statistically significant differences between the two groups across all three variables. Participants in the High Loneliness Group reported higher psychological distress, greater emotion regulation difficulties, and more problematic series watching compared to those in the Low Loneliness Group. Table 2 Comparison between Low loneliness and High loneliness group on Psychological Distress, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation and Problematic Series watching Variables Low Loneliness Group (n = 42) (Mean ± SD) High Loneliness Group (n = 22) (Mean ± SD) p-value Psychological Distress (K10) 20.38 ± 8.61 31.18 ± 9.37 0.001*** Difficulty in Emotion Regulation ( 56 ) 49.74 ± 8.94 60.73 ± 15.07 0.004* Problematic Series watching (PSWS) 8.52 ± 5.79 15.91 ± 9.10 0.001*** ***significant at 0.001; ***significant at 0.01; *significant at 0.05 3.4 Gender Differences in Loneliness, Psychological Distress, Emotion Regulation, and Problematic Series Watching In many Asian cultures, gender roles are distinctly shaped by traditional societal expectations. For instance, women are often primarily responsible for domestic duties and child-rearing, while men are typically assigned the role of financial provider ( 29 ). In the Indian context, mothers tend to spend more time with their children, which may increase their vulnerability to emotional difficulties during the empty-nest phase. To explore this further, the present study conducted a gender-based comparison on loneliness, psychological distress, difficulties in emotion regulation, and problematic series watching. As depicted in Table 3 , there were statistically significant differences between men (fathers) and women (mothers) participants. Women reported significantly higher levels of loneliness and psychological distress compared to men. Table 3 Gender Differences in Loneliness, Psychological Distress, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, and Problematic Series Watching Variables Men (n = 30) (Mean ± SD) Women (n = 34) (Mean ± SD) p-value UCLA Loneliness 21.13 ± 20.11 38.56 ± 14.16 0.001*** Psychological Distress (K10) 18.77 ± 9.81 28.79 ± 8.11 0.001*** Difficulty in Emotion Regulation 52.40 ± 13.29 54.50 ± 11.80 0.336 Problematic Series watching (PSWS) 11.63 ± 8.00 10.56 ± 7.84 0.575 ***significant at 0.001; ***significant at 0.01; *significant at 0.05 4. Discussion The processes of industrialization, globalization, and advancements in transportation have encouraged many offspring to emigrate from their native places to foreign countries in pursuit of better education, career opportunities, higher incomes, and improved living standards. However, such demographic shifts—characterized by the rise of nuclear families, delayed childbearing, and a reduced number of children per family—have increased the likelihood of parents experiencing the empty-nest phase, during which they are particularly vulnerable to emotional and psychological distress ( 1 ). This study examined the interplay between loneliness, psychological distress, emotion regulation, and problematic series-watching among empty-nest parents whose children had emigrated. The socio-demographic analysis indicated that participants ranged in age from 45 to 65 years (Mean = 53.50), with the majority belonging to the middle socioeconomic stratum (n = 57; 89.1%) and living in nuclear families (n = 54; 84.4%). The duration of the empty-nest phase varied from two years to over a decade. In many Indian communities, particularly among the middle class, emigration has become a cultural norm ( 30 , 31 ). The demographic composition observed in this study suggests that older individuals from nuclear families are particularly susceptible to loneliness and emotional strain. This may stem from the loss of daily interactions, parental caregiving roles, and reduced social support systems ( 1 , 32 ). In contrast to joint family structures, which often provide robust emotional and social support ( 33 – 35 ), nuclear families may leave older adults more isolated, especially when they have only one or two children who have emigrated. 4.1 Adverse Effect of Loneliness in Empty-Nest Parents The findings revealed a significant positive association between loneliness and psychological distress, difficulty in emotion regulation, and problematic series watching (Table 1 ). These associations are particularly relevant in the context of urban India, where social relationships are weakening due to rising nuclear family structures, limited neighborhood interactions, and fewer children per household. This diminished social interaction is likely to intensify feelings of loneliness ( 35 ). Kashdan et al. ( 36 ) highlighted how emotional dysregulation contributes to the persistence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, particularly among socially isolated individuals. They reported that maladaptive coping mechanisms such as avoidance and emotional suppression are commonly employed by individuals with poor emotion regulation skills, which may exacerbate loneliness and result in significant psychological distress. Higher levels of loneliness are associated with increased psychological distress. Elderly empty-nest parents who feel more isolated are likely to experience greater distress, heightened negative emotions, and difficulty regulating their emotional states. Furthermore, the study examined the impact of loneliness severity on psychological distress, emotion regulation, and problematic series watching by categorizing empty-nest parents into two groups based on their UCLA Loneliness Scale scores. Results showed that individuals in the high-loneliness group experienced significantly greater psychological distress, greater difficulty with emotion regulation, and higher levels of problematic series watching compared to those in the low-loneliness group. These findings underscore the deleterious effects of loneliness on mental health. The results align with previous research demonstrating links between loneliness and various physical health conditions (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular conditions like coronary artery disease and hypertension, obesity, accelerated physiological aging, and poor overall health), as well as mental health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances) ( 37 – 40 ). It can be hypothesized that loneliness acts as a direct pathway to psychological distress, particularly during major life transitions such as the empty-nest phase. 4.2 Problematic Level of Series/Movies Watching and Possible Adverse Effects Older empty-nest parents may increasingly engage in watching movies, TV serials, or web series as a coping strategy to manage loneliness, emotional distress, and negative mood states. However, such behavior may evolve into a problematic or dependent pattern of series watching. The current study found significant positive associations between loneliness and problematic series watching, as well as between emotion regulation difficulties and problematic series watching. Media Systems Dependency Theory ( 19 , 20 ) posits that individuals may excessively consume media to compensate for feelings of insecurity or social alienation. Similarly, people may use series watching as a strategy to alter or manage negative emotional states. Media consumption may promote relaxation and stress relief ( 41 ). Lonely individuals are likely to watch more television (Perse & Rubin, 1990), and stressful life events often lead to increased screen time ( 21 ). Older and middle-aged adults, in particular, are more likely to engage in prolonged media viewing ( 42 ). Older adults and middle-aged adults most likely engage in watching media content or television ( 17 ). With technological advancements, such as internet-enabled smart TVs and smartphones, individuals may prefer on-demand platforms like web series or YouTube due to their convenience, personalization, and privacy. The present study revealed that loneliness and emotion regulation difficulties significantly correlate with problematic series watching, suggesting that empty-nest parents may use such media as a coping strategy. However, these patterns can become maladaptive or addictive, as indicated by scores on the Problematic Series Watching Scale, which is based on Griffiths' component model of addiction. Beyond affect regulation and escape motives (e.g., from caregiving identity loss or relational disconnection), several factors may elevate the risk of problematic series watching among older adults, including increased free time, fewer work demands ( 17 ), limited physical mobility, and restricted social networks—especially in urban settings in India. Additionally, older adults may find other forms of technology (e.g., online gaming or chatting) less suitable or accessible, making series or movies viewing a more convenient, passive, and less effortful recreational option. However, excessive movie/series/TV watching fosters sedentary behavior and reduces physical activity. Research has linked excessive sedentary time, particularly TV use, with adverse physical and mental health outcomes, including increased risks of mental distress and depression (especially in women) ( 43 ), cardiovascular issues, musculoskeletal decline, and cellular aging ( 44 , 45 ). Further studies have found higher risks for obesity, type 2 diabetes ( 46 ), decreased engagement in physical and social recreation ( 47 , 48 ), and neurocognitive disorders like dementia ( 49 ). The mechanisms underlying these associations may include low energy expenditure, poor dietary habits, and the absence of mentally or physically stimulating activities, alongside the negative influence of TV content on health perceptions ( 50 – 52 ). In contrast, increased physical activity and cognitively engaging tasks are associated with reduced depression ( 53 ), and improved muscular strength and function ( 54 ). Therefore, it is essential to screen for sedentary behaviors such as problematic series watching and to recommend appropriate interventions in older adults especially older in empty-nest phase. Additionally, promoting the healthy use of technology for social interaction (e.g., video calls, social media) may help reduce loneliness among older adults ( 55 ). Regular digital communication can alleviate emotional distress, especially for those with emigrated children. Social media can foster connection and intimacy, potentially reducing the psychological toll of loneliness, although it cannot fully replace in-person interactions ( 56 ). Nonetheless, limited digital literacy and time zone differences may reduce the utility and convenience of these technologies for older adults, making them less likely to engage in face-to-face digital communication. These factors can be explored by future studies. 4.3 Gender Differences in Loneliness and Psychological Distress During the Empty-Nest Phase This study explored the impact of gender (men vs. women) on loneliness, psychological distress, emotion regulation, and problematic series watching. As indicated in Table 3 , women reported significantly higher levels of loneliness and psychological distress, though no significant gender differences were found in emotion regulation or problematic series watching. Beutel et al. ( 37 ) have also reported higher loneliness in women living without their children. In Asian societies, including India, mothers traditionally assume primary caregiving roles, spending more time in nurturing and child-rearing responsibilities ( 30 ). The emigration of children may therefore create a profound emotional void in the daily lives of mothers, making them more susceptible to loneliness and psychological distress ( 6 ). An Indian study reported that 57.1% of women in the empty-nest phase experienced clinical depression, largely due to the disintegration of extended family structures (57). The present findings emphasize the importance of mental health screening and targeted interventions, particularly for women whose children have emigrated. Conclusion The emigration of offspring can significantly increase loneliness and psychological distress among elderly empty-nest parents, with women often experiencing more severe effects than men. This psychological burden may lead to difficulties in emotion regulation and a tendency toward passive coping strategies, such as binge watching or problematic media consumption. The findings underscore the need for psychosocial interventions to improve mental health and well-being in this population. Future research should investigate the prevalence and impact of problematic series watching and other media dependency behaviors on both the physical and psychological health of older adults. Mixed-method approaches, including qualitative analyses of the empty-nest experience and the inclusion of biophysiological health indicators, are recommended. Future studies should also explore subjective perceptions of offspring emigration, the role of digital literacy, barriers to online socialization, and the potential of healthy technology use in mitigating loneliness. The present study has certain limitations. First, the small sample size restricts generalizability; a larger sample would enhance reliability. Second, the study did not account for various adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies employed by empty-nest parents. Exploring such mechanisms would contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the issue. Despite these limitations, this study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive psychosocial support programs for empty-nest parents to help them navigate loneliness, distress, and maladaptive series watching. Declarations Acknowledgements: Nil Funding: Non-Funded Ethics declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate Ethics clearance was obtained from the NIMHANS Behavioural Sciences Ethic Committee(Ref.No.: NIMH/DO/BEH.Sc.Div./2023-24). The study adhered to the ethical standards outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (1975, and subsequent revisions). Participation in the study was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained prior completing the questionnaire from each participant. All participants were informed about the study’s purpose and assured of their right to withdraw at any stage without providing a reason. They were also informed that there is no financial compensation. Consent for publication: Not Applicable Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Clinical trial number: Not applicable Data statement: Due to the confidentiality agreements with participants, the dataset is not publicly available Author’s Contribution: This study was conducted by Ms. Rimple Dahiya under supervision of Dr. Rajesh Kumar, and Dr. Nitin Anand. All authors have made a substantial contribution to the conception, design, gathering, analysis and/or interpretation of data. Dr Rajesh Kumar wrote the first draft and other authors have revised the first draft and completed the final manuscript. 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BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):97. Mushtaq R, Shoib S, Shah T, Mushtaq S. Relationship between loneliness, psychiatric disorders and physical health ? A review on the psychological aspects of loneliness. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014;8(9):We01–4. Erzen E, Çikrikci Ö. The effect of loneliness on depression: A meta-analysis. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2018;64(5):427–35. Wang G, Hu M, Xiao SY, Zhou L. Loneliness and depression among rural empty-nest elderly adults in Liuyang, China: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2017;7(10):e016091. Kubey R, Csikszentmihalyi M. Television addiction is no mere metaphor. Sci Am. 2002;286(2):74–80. Anderson DR, Collins PA, Schmitt KL, Jacobvitz RS. Stressful Life Events and Television Viewing. Communication Res. 1996;23(3):243–60. Andrade-Gómez E, Martínez-Gómez D, Rodríguez-Artalejo F, García-Esquinas E. Sedentary behaviors, physical activity, and changes in depression and psychological distress symptoms in older adults. Depress Anxiety. 2018;35(9):884–97. Cherkas LF, Hunkin JL, Kato BS, Richards JB, Gardner JP, Surdulescu GL, et al. The association between physical activity in leisure time and leukocyte telomere length. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(2):154–8. Hamilton MT, Healy GN, Dunstan DW, Zderic TW, Owen N. Too Little Exercise and Too Much Sitting: Inactivity Physiology and the Need for New Recommendations on Sedentary Behavior. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep. 2008;2(4):292–8. Williams DM, Raynor HA, Ciccolo JT. A Review of TV Viewing and Its Association With Health Outcomes in Adults. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2008;2(3):250–9. Bruni L, Stanca L. Watching alone: Relational goods, television and happiness. J Econ Behav Organ. 2008;65(3):506–28. Hu FB, Li TY, Colditz GA, Willett WC, Manson JE. Television watching and other sedentary behaviors in relation to risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus in women. JAMA. 2003;289(14):1785–91. Rundek T, Bennett DA. Cognitive leisure activities, but not watching TV, for future brain benefits. Neurology. 2006;66(6):794–5. Ahuja S, Mohammed-Baksh S, Parkinson M. Effects of Television Watching on Total Food Consumed: An Experimental Study. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008;108(9):A39. Matthews CE, Chen KY, Freedson PS, Buchowski MS, Beech BM, Pate RR, et al. Amount of time spent in sedentary behaviors in the United States, 2003–2004. Am J Epidemiol. 2008;167(7):875–81. Levy BR. Mind matters: cognitive and physical effects of aging self-stereotypes. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2003;58(4):P203–11. Yasunaga A, Shibata A, Ishii K, Koohsari MJ, Oka K. Cross-sectional associations of sedentary behaviour and physical activity on depression in Japanese older adults: an isotemporal substitution approach. BMJ Open. 2018;8(9):e022282. Ramsey KA, Rojer AGM, D'Andrea L, Otten RHJ, Heymans MW, Trappenburg MC, et al. The association of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior with skeletal muscle strength and muscle power in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev. 2021;67:101266. Chopik WJ, Cyberpsychology. Behav Social Netw. 2016;19(9):551–6. Cotten SR, Anderson WA, McCullough BM. Impact of internet use on loneliness and contact with others among older adults: cross-sectional analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2013;15(2):e39. Pillay AL. Midlife Depression and the Empty Nest Syndrome in Indian Women. Psychol Rep. 1988;63(2):591–4. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6692946","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":476784901,"identity":"167a30e4-a22b-4a06-a521-0a4937f56a4f","order_by":0,"name":"Rimple Dahiya","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Rimple","middleName":"","lastName":"Dahiya","suffix":""},{"id":476784902,"identity":"41ba7e87-2fc2-4b79-984a-b7c91fd2116f","order_by":1,"name":"RAJESH KUMAR","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA0ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACAwkQycPAwA+iEwpI0SLZANJiQLQWEOMAmCRCi7l0j9mHHzI29sbnVyd+eGDAIM8vdgC/Fss5Z4xn9vCkJW678XazBNBhhjNnJxBw2I0cYwYensMJZjfObgBpSTC4TYQWxj88/+2NZ5zd/INoLcw8PAcYN/D3biPOFssZacXMMjzJiTNu8G6zSDCQIOwXc4nkzYxve+zs+fvPbr75o8JGnl+agBYwYOwBEhJglRL4VSLADyDmP0Cs6lEwCkbBKBhpAAAM+0GG8fQIRwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"RAJESH","middleName":"","lastName":"KUMAR","suffix":""},{"id":476784903,"identity":"a69bf7c4-3b90-4b44-b865-fff914104fd9","order_by":2,"name":"Nitin Anand","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Nitin","middleName":"","lastName":"Anand","suffix":""},{"id":476784904,"identity":"87d85b59-61f2-42d3-8281-773c0dbec92c","order_by":3,"name":"Manoj Kumar Sharma","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Manoj","middleName":"Kumar","lastName":"Sharma","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-05-18 16:53:14","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6692946/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6692946/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":90984811,"identity":"348f923e-b5dd-4ba9-a1f7-e5d1b8e9fab8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-10 09:47:03","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1167234,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6692946/v1/caf3ecd0-a5cf-4b58-95a8-63f9ce3cc943.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eCoping with the Empty Nest: The Role of Loneliness, Distress, and Emotion Dysregulation in Problematic Series Watching Among Parents of Immigrant Offspring\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u0026lsquo;Empty-nest\u0026rsquo; is a relatively recent phenomenon that has emerged as a result of industrialization, urbanization, and globalization. There have been rapid changes in family structures, such as a shift toward predominantly nuclear families, delayed childbearing, and a shorter duration of co-residence between parents and offspring. These demographic shifts have contributed to the emergence of what is now known as the \u0026ldquo;empty nest period\u0026rdquo; \u0026mdash; a transitional phase in the family life cycle when adult children leave home to live independently, thereby leaving older parents to live alone or solely with their spouse (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The concept of the \"empty nest\" was introduced within the framework of the family life cycle theory (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). According to this theory, empty-nest is referred to the stage in which last child moved away from home to one\u0026rsquo;s partners\u0026rsquo; death. This phase has more recently been defined as a stage in which children move out, leaving elderly parents to live alone or with a partner, and such individuals are often labeled \u0026ldquo;empty-nest parents\u0026rdquo; or \u0026ldquo;empty-nest elders\u0026rdquo;, (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). In other words, the empty-nest phase refers to the life stage during which adult children depart the family home to pursue higher education, career opportunities, or independent living. Several factors\u0026mdash;including increased life expectancy, lower fertility rates, delayed parenthood, and shifts in family structure\u0026mdash;have contributed to the growing population of older adults experiencing the empty-nest phase (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStudies have reported that empty-nest period is often associated with increased loneliness, elevated stress and reduced psychological well-being (\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR6 CR7\" citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e). The Role Loss Model (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e) posits that the migration of children can diminish parents\u0026rsquo; sense of purpose and fulfillment\u0026mdash;particularly in mothers. The departure of children can disrupt established caregiving routines, erode a sense of normalcy, and introduce uncertainty into daily life. This sense of emptiness and purposelessness may intensify emotional distress and contribute to clinical manifestations of depression and anxiety (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e). Studies have also highlighted that reduced face-to-face interaction with children significantly contributes to feelings of loneliness and diminished well-being among older adults (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWith technological advancements, a range of behavioral addictions\u0026mdash;distinct from substance-based addictions\u0026mdash;have become increasingly prevalent. One such behavioral pattern is problematic series watching (also it may refer to binge-watching). which involves viewing multiple episodes of a television or web-based series in rapid succession through platforms such as Netflix or YouTube. This behavior, while often recreational, can evolve into a problematic pattern characterized by compulsive use and emotional dependency. The emphasis is placed on the behavioral symptoms of addiction rather than the medium (e.g., television, smartphone, or tablet). Engagement with digital media is often perceived as a coping mechanism for managing stress and emotional discomfort (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e). A study by Pontes et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e) found that when participants were asked to identify their top three online activities, one-third reported that watching videos and movies was their most preferred choice. Problematic series watching can be conceptualized using Griffiths\u0026rsquo; components model of behavioral addiction (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e), which informed the development of the Problematic Series Watching Scale (PSWS) (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e). The core components include: (a) \u003cb\u003esalience\u003c/b\u003e, where watching series becomes the most important activity, dominating one\u0026rsquo;s thoughts and daily routines; (b) \u003cb\u003emood modification\u003c/b\u003e, where viewing is used as a way to regulate or improve emotional states; (c) \u003cb\u003etolerance\u003c/b\u003e, marked by the need to spend more time watching to achieve the same psychological effect as before; (d) \u003cb\u003ewithdrawal\u003c/b\u003e, which involves experiencing discomfort or irritability when unable to watch; (e) \u003cb\u003econflict\u003c/b\u003e, where the habit disrupts personal relationships or interferes with responsibilities; and (f) \u003cb\u003erelapse\u003c/b\u003e, referring to the return to excessive viewing habits after a period of control or abstinence.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOlder adults may gravitate toward series watching as a preferred recreational and emotional regulation activity, with characteristics similar to those seen in substance-based addictions (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e). The Media Systems Dependency Theory (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e) posits that individuals may rely on media consumption as a way to manage identity insecurity or social alienation. Supporting this, research has shown that individuals experiencing loneliness tend to consume more television content (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite these insights, there remains a paucity of research exploring how empty-nest parents specifically cope with loneliness and psychological distress in the digital age. While some studies have addressed the sociological, economic, or psychological dimensions of the empty-nest phenomenon, few have examined the potential role of media engagement\u0026mdash;particularly problematic series watching\u0026mdash;as a coping strategy. Moreover, studies have rarely employed psychometrically validated tools based on behavioral addiction criteria, such as the Problematic Series Watching Scale. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the role of loneliness, psychological distress, and emotion regulation, in relation to problematic series-watching behavior among empty-nest parents of immigrant offspring.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Method","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Sample and procedure\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional research design was employed in this study. Parents in the empty-nest phase (i.e., whose children had migrated and been living away for more than two years) were identified and recruited from the community with the assistance of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). To maintain sample heterogeneity, only one parent per household was included in the data collection. The non-probability convenience sampling method was used for recruiting the study participants.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2Instruments:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe following tools were employed in the study: \u003cb\u003eSociodemographic Data Sheet\u003c/b\u003e: A sociodemographic data sheet was prepared to collect the basic demographic information, including name, age, gender, education, family type, number of children who migrated, country of residence of the children, and duration since migration. \u003cb\u003eUCLA Loneliness Scale-version 3\u003c/b\u003e (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e): Loneliness scale was developed by the Russell and colleagues (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e) this scale measures subjective feelings of loneliness and social isolation. The version used in this study contains 20 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale. \u003cb\u003eKessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10)\u003c/b\u003e (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e): The K10 is a widely validated measure of psychological distress comprising 10 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. \u003cb\u003eDifficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF)\u003c/b\u003e (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e): The short form of the DERS contains 18 items and evaluates difficulties in emotional regulation. It is divided into six subscales: non-acceptance of emotional responses, goals, impulse, awareness, strategies, and clarity. Higher scores reflect greater difficulties in emotion regulation. The scale has strong convergent and concurrent validity and is widely used in both clinical and research settings. The scale shows excellent internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.88 (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e). \u003cb\u003eProblematic Series Watching Scale (PSWS)\u003c/b\u003e (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e): The PSWS consists 6-items and assesses the extent of problematic binge-watching behaviors. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from \"Never\" scored 1 to \"Always\" scored 5, with higher scores indicating more severe binge-watching tendencies. It captures core elements of behavioral addiction, such as preoccupation, difficulty controlling viewing time, and interference with responsibilities. The scale has shown strong internal reliability (Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.80) across various studies (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.3 Declaration and Data Collection\u003c/b\u003e: To ensure ease of participation, a Google form was created comprising study information, inclusion/exclusion criteria, informed consent, sociodemographic data sheet, and all scales. The link was distributed via the NGO working with empty-nest parents. Inclusion criteria were: parents in empty-nest phase residing in India, age between 45\u0026ndash;65 years. Exclusion criteria were: self-reported psychiatric illness, parents undergoing psychotherapy, and single parenthood due to death, divorce or separation. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institute\u0026rsquo;s ethics committee (Ref.No.: NIMH/DO/BEH.Sc.Div./2023-24). The study adhered to the ethical standards outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (1975, and subsequent revisions). Participation in the study was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained prior completing the questionnaire from each participant. All participants were informed about the study\u0026rsquo;s purpose and assured of their right to withdraw at any stage without providing a reason. They were also informed that there is no financial compensation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.2 Data analysis\u003c/b\u003e: The data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences \u0026ndash; version 20 (IBM SPSS- 20). Two-tailed statistical tests were conducted with a significance level set at \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05. Study variables were tested for the normality using Shapiro-Wilk test, which revealed that most variables were not normally distributed. Therefore, non-parametric statistical methods were employed. Descriptive statistics were computed. Chi-square test, Spearman Correlation Test and Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney \u003cem\u003eU\u003c/em\u003e test was used to examine demographic characteristics, correlation among study variables and to identify significant group differences.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003e3.1 Sample characteristics\u003c/b\u003e: The sample comprised 64 participants, of whom 46.9% (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30) were male and 53.1% (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;34) were female. The majority belonged to the middle socioeconomic status (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;57; 89.1%), and were from nuclear families (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;54; 84.4%). Regarding educational background, 31.2% (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20) had completed primary education, 32.8% (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;21) had a high school education, and 36.0% (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;23) held a graduate or postgraduate degree. Participants were predominantly from Haryana (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;31, 46.3%), Karnataka (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;16, 23.9%), and Punjab (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;11, 16.4%). Majority of empty-nest parent reported having two children (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;43, 67.2%), while 17 participants (26.5%) had only one child who had migrated to another country. The duration of the empty-nest period ranged from 2 years to over 10 years, categorized as follows: [2 years (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;6 (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;6; 9.4%, 3\u0026ndash;5 years (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;23; 35.9%) and above 5 years (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;35; 54.7%)].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Association of Loneliness with Psychological Distress, Emotion Dysregulation, and Problematic Series Watching\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpearman\u0026rsquo;s correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association between loneliness and psychological distress, emotion dysregulation, and problematic series watching behavior (see Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). These findings suggest that individuals experiencing greater loneliness also report heightened psychological distress, more difficulties in emotion regulation, and increased engagement in problematic series watching.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrelations between Loneliness, Psychological Distress (K10), Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, and Problematic Series Watching (PSWS).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLoneliness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePsychological distress\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmotion dysregulation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProblematic Series watching\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLoneliness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.697\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.562\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.538\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePsychological distress\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.697\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.390**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.139\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmotion dysregulation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.562\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.390\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.327\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProblematic Series watching\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.538\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.139\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.327\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e***significant at 0.001; ***significant at 0.01; *significant at 0.05\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, difficulty in emotion regulation was significantly correlated with both psychological distress and problematic series watching. This pattern may suggest that empty-nest parents engage in binge-watching behaviors as a coping mechanism to manage emotional distress and mood dysregulation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3 Loneliness and its impact on Psychological Distress, Emotion Regulation Difficulties, and Problematic Series watching\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eScore obtained on UCLA Loneliness Scale were categorized into low to high loneliness levels, based on established cut-offs (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e). Of the 64 participants, 42 individuals (65.7%) were classified as experiencing normal to low levels of loneliness, while 22 participants (34.3%) scored in the moderate to high loneliness range. Based on these scores (severity level of loneliness), two groups were formed namely, Low Loneliness group (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;42) and High Loneliness group (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;22). The two groups were compared on psychological distress, difficulties in emotion regulation, and problematic series watching behavior. As shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups across all three variables. Participants in the High Loneliness Group reported higher psychological distress, greater emotion regulation difficulties, and more problematic series watching compared to those in the Low Loneliness Group.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eComparison between Low loneliness and High loneliness group on Psychological Distress, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation and Problematic Series watching\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow Loneliness Group (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;42)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigh Loneliness Group (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;22)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePsychological Distress (K10)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001***\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDifficulty in Emotion Regulation (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e56\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.004*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProblematic Series watching (PSWS)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001***\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e***significant at 0.001; ***significant at 0.01; *significant at 0.05\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.4 Gender Differences in Loneliness, Psychological Distress, Emotion Regulation, and Problematic Series Watching\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn many Asian cultures, gender roles are distinctly shaped by traditional societal expectations. For instance, women are often primarily responsible for domestic duties and child-rearing, while men are typically assigned the role of financial provider (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e). In the Indian context, mothers tend to spend more time with their children, which may increase their vulnerability to emotional difficulties during the empty-nest phase. To explore this further, the present study conducted a gender-based comparison on loneliness, psychological distress, difficulties in emotion regulation, and problematic series watching. As depicted in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, there were statistically significant differences between men (fathers) and women (mothers) participants. Women reported significantly higher levels of loneliness and psychological distress compared to men.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender Differences in Loneliness, Psychological Distress, Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, and Problematic Series Watching\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMen (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWomen (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;34)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUCLA Loneliness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;20.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;14.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001***\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePsychological Distress (K10)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001***\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDifficulty in Emotion Regulation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.336\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProblematic Series watching (PSWS)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"\u0026plusmn;\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.575\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e***significant at 0.001; ***significant at 0.01; *significant at 0.05\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe processes of industrialization, globalization, and advancements in transportation have encouraged many offspring to emigrate from their native places to foreign countries in pursuit of better education, career opportunities, higher incomes, and improved living standards. However, such demographic shifts\u0026mdash;characterized by the rise of nuclear families, delayed childbearing, and a reduced number of children per family\u0026mdash;have increased the likelihood of parents experiencing the empty-nest phase, during which they are particularly vulnerable to emotional and psychological distress (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study examined the interplay between loneliness, psychological distress, emotion regulation, and problematic series-watching among empty-nest parents whose children had emigrated. The socio-demographic analysis indicated that participants ranged in age from 45 to 65 years (Mean\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;53.50), with the majority belonging to the middle socioeconomic stratum (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;57; 89.1%) and living in nuclear families (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;54; 84.4%). The duration of the empty-nest phase varied from two years to over a decade. In many Indian communities, particularly among the middle class, emigration has become a cultural norm (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e). The demographic composition observed in this study suggests that older individuals from nuclear families are particularly susceptible to loneliness and emotional strain. This may stem from the loss of daily interactions, parental caregiving roles, and reduced social support systems (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e). In contrast to joint family structures, which often provide robust emotional and social support (\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR34\" citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e), nuclear families may leave older adults more isolated, especially when they have only one or two children who have emigrated.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.1 Adverse Effect of Loneliness in Empty-Nest Parents\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings revealed a significant positive association between loneliness and psychological distress, difficulty in emotion regulation, and problematic series watching (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). These associations are particularly relevant in the context of urban India, where social relationships are weakening due to rising nuclear family structures, limited neighborhood interactions, and fewer children per household. This diminished social interaction is likely to intensify feelings of loneliness (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e). Kashdan et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e) highlighted how emotional dysregulation contributes to the persistence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, particularly among socially isolated individuals. They reported that maladaptive coping mechanisms such as avoidance and emotional suppression are commonly employed by individuals with poor emotion regulation skills, which may exacerbate loneliness and result in significant psychological distress. Higher levels of loneliness are associated with increased psychological distress. Elderly empty-nest parents who feel more isolated are likely to experience greater distress, heightened negative emotions, and difficulty regulating their emotional states.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the study examined the impact of loneliness severity on psychological distress, emotion regulation, and problematic series watching by categorizing empty-nest parents into two groups based on their UCLA Loneliness Scale scores. Results showed that individuals in the high-loneliness group experienced significantly greater psychological distress, greater difficulty with emotion regulation, and higher levels of problematic series watching compared to those in the low-loneliness group. These findings underscore the deleterious effects of loneliness on mental health. The results align with previous research demonstrating links between loneliness and various physical health conditions (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular conditions like coronary artery disease and hypertension, obesity, accelerated physiological aging, and poor overall health), as well as mental health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances) (\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR38 CR39\" citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e). It can be hypothesized that loneliness acts as a direct pathway to psychological distress, particularly during major life transitions such as the empty-nest phase.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2 Problematic Level of Series/Movies Watching and Possible Adverse Effects\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOlder empty-nest parents may increasingly engage in watching movies, TV serials, or web series as a coping strategy to manage loneliness, emotional distress, and negative mood states. However, such behavior may evolve into a problematic or dependent pattern of series watching. The current study found significant positive associations between loneliness and problematic series watching, as well as between emotion regulation difficulties and problematic series watching.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedia Systems Dependency Theory (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e) posits that individuals may excessively consume media to compensate for feelings of insecurity or social alienation. Similarly, people may use series watching as a strategy to alter or manage negative emotional states. Media consumption may promote relaxation and stress relief (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e). Lonely individuals are likely to watch more television (Perse \u0026amp; Rubin, 1990), and stressful life events often lead to increased screen time (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e). Older and middle-aged adults, in particular, are more likely to engage in prolonged media viewing (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e). Older adults and middle-aged adults most likely engage in watching media content or television (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWith technological advancements, such as internet-enabled smart TVs and smartphones, individuals may prefer on-demand platforms like web series or YouTube due to their convenience, personalization, and privacy. The present study revealed that loneliness and emotion regulation difficulties significantly correlate with problematic series watching, suggesting that empty-nest parents may use such media as a coping strategy. However, these patterns can become maladaptive or addictive, as indicated by scores on the Problematic Series Watching Scale, which is based on Griffiths' component model of addiction.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeyond affect regulation and escape motives (e.g., from caregiving identity loss or relational disconnection), several factors may elevate the risk of problematic series watching among older adults, including increased free time, fewer work demands (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e), limited physical mobility, and restricted social networks\u0026mdash;especially in urban settings in India. Additionally, older adults may find other forms of technology (e.g., online gaming or chatting) less suitable or accessible, making series or movies viewing a more convenient, passive, and less effortful recreational option.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, excessive movie/series/TV watching fosters sedentary behavior and reduces physical activity. Research has linked excessive sedentary time, particularly TV use, with adverse physical and mental health outcomes, including increased risks of mental distress and depression (especially in women) (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e), cardiovascular issues, musculoskeletal decline, and cellular aging (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e44\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e). Further studies have found higher risks for obesity, type 2 diabetes (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e46\u003c/span\u003e), decreased engagement in physical and social recreation (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e47\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e48\u003c/span\u003e), and neurocognitive disorders like dementia (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e49\u003c/span\u003e). The mechanisms underlying these associations may include low energy expenditure, poor dietary habits, and the absence of mentally or physically stimulating activities, alongside the negative influence of TV content on health perceptions (\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR51\" citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e50\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e52\u003c/span\u003e). In contrast, increased physical activity and cognitively engaging tasks are associated with reduced depression (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR53\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e53\u003c/span\u003e), and improved muscular strength and function (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e54\u003c/span\u003e). Therefore, it is essential to screen for sedentary behaviors such as problematic series watching and to recommend appropriate interventions in older adults especially older in empty-nest phase.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdditionally, promoting the healthy use of technology for social interaction (e.g., video calls, social media) may help reduce loneliness among older adults (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e55\u003c/span\u003e). Regular digital communication can alleviate emotional distress, especially for those with emigrated children. Social media can foster connection and intimacy, potentially reducing the psychological toll of loneliness, although it cannot fully replace in-person interactions (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e56\u003c/span\u003e). Nonetheless, limited digital literacy and time zone differences may reduce the utility and convenience of these technologies for older adults, making them less likely to engage in face-to-face digital communication. These factors can be explored by future studies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3 Gender Differences in Loneliness and Psychological Distress During the Empty-Nest Phase\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study explored the impact of gender (men vs. women) on loneliness, psychological distress, emotion regulation, and problematic series watching. As indicated in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, women reported significantly higher levels of loneliness and psychological distress, though no significant gender differences were found in emotion regulation or problematic series watching. Beutel et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e) have also reported higher loneliness in women living without their children. In Asian societies, including India, mothers traditionally assume primary caregiving roles, spending more time in nurturing and child-rearing responsibilities (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e). The emigration of children may therefore create a profound emotional void in the daily lives of mothers, making them more susceptible to loneliness and psychological distress (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e). An Indian study reported that 57.1% of women in the empty-nest phase experienced clinical depression, largely due to the disintegration of extended family structures (57). The present findings emphasize the importance of mental health screening and targeted interventions, particularly for women whose children have emigrated.\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Conclusion","content":" \u003cp\u003eThe emigration of offspring can significantly increase loneliness and psychological distress among elderly empty-nest parents, with women often experiencing more severe effects than men. This psychological burden may lead to difficulties in emotion regulation and a tendency toward passive coping strategies, such as binge watching or problematic media consumption. The findings underscore the need for psychosocial interventions to improve mental health and well-being in this population.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFuture research should investigate the prevalence and impact of problematic series watching and other media dependency behaviors on both the physical and psychological health of older adults. Mixed-method approaches, including qualitative analyses of the empty-nest experience and the inclusion of biophysiological health indicators, are recommended. Future studies should also explore subjective perceptions of offspring emigration, the role of digital literacy, barriers to online socialization, and the potential of healthy technology use in mitigating loneliness.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe present study has certain limitations. First, the small sample size restricts generalizability; a larger sample would enhance reliability. Second, the study did not account for various adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies employed by empty-nest parents. Exploring such mechanisms would contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the issue. Despite these limitations, this study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive psychosocial support programs for empty-nest parents to help them navigate loneliness, distress, and maladaptive series watching.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNil\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNon-Funded\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics declarations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthics clearance was obtained from the NIMHANS Behavioural Sciences Ethic Committee(Ref.No.: NIMH/DO/BEH.Sc.Div./2023-24). The study adhered to the ethical standards outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (1975, and subsequent revisions). Participation in the study was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained prior completing the questionnaire from each participant. All participants were informed about the study’s purpose and assured of their right to withdraw at any stage without providing a reason. They were also informed that there is no financial compensation. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNot Applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical trial number:\u003c/strong\u003e Not applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData statement:\u003c/strong\u003e Due to the confidentiality agreements with participants, the dataset is not publicly available\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor’s Contribution:\u003c/strong\u003e This study was conducted by Ms. Rimple Dahiya under supervision of Dr. Rajesh Kumar, and Dr. Nitin Anand. All authors have made a substantial contribution to the conception, design, gathering, analysis and/or interpretation of data. Dr Rajesh Kumar wrote the first draft and other authors have revised the first draft and completed the final manuscript. They have exercised due care in ensuring the integrity of the work.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHartanto A, Sim L, Lee D, Majeed NM, Yong JC. Cultural contexts differentially shape parents' loneliness and wellbeing during the empty nest period. Commun Psychol. 2024;2(1):105.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuvall EM. Family Development. New York, NY J. B: Lippincott Co.; 1957.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZhang Y. Are Empty-Nest Elders Unhappy? Re-examining Chinese Empty-Nest Elders\u0026rsquo; Subjective Well-Being Considering Social Changes. Front Psychol. 2020;Volume 11\u0026ndash;2020.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMitchell BA. Empty Nest. In: Gu D, Dupre ME, editors. 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JAMA. 2003;289(14):1785\u0026ndash;91.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRundek T, Bennett DA. Cognitive leisure activities, but not watching TV, for future brain benefits. Neurology. 2006;66(6):794\u0026ndash;5.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAhuja S, Mohammed-Baksh S, Parkinson M. Effects of Television Watching on Total Food Consumed: An Experimental Study. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008;108(9):A39.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMatthews CE, Chen KY, Freedson PS, Buchowski MS, Beech BM, Pate RR, et al. Amount of time spent in sedentary behaviors in the United States, 2003\u0026ndash;2004. Am J Epidemiol. 2008;167(7):875\u0026ndash;81.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLevy BR. Mind matters: cognitive and physical effects of aging self-stereotypes. 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Impact of internet use on loneliness and contact with others among older adults: cross-sectional analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2013;15(2):e39.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePillay AL. Midlife Depression and the Empty Nest Syndrome in Indian Women. Psychol Rep. 1988;63(2):591\u0026ndash;4.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Loneliness, Emotion Dysregulation, Problematic Series Watching, Empty-Nest Parent, Psychological Distress","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6692946/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6692946/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is rising concern regarding the increasing population of older adults who face unique challenges, including the empty-nest phase. This study aimed to examine the role of loneliness, emotion regulation, and psychological distress for problematic series watching behavior in empty-nest parents of immigrant offspring.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study employed a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 64 empty-nest parents, aged 45\u0026ndash;65 years (Mean\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;53.50 years). The tools administered included a sociodemographic data sheet, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Kessler Psychological Distress (K10), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short form (DERS-SF), and Problematic Series Watching Scale (PSWS).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eResults showed that loneliness was positively correlated with psychological distress (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.661, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), greater difficulties in emotion regulation (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.467, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) and problematic series watching (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.447, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). Furthermore, difficulty in emotion regulation was also significantly correlated with problematic series watching (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.327, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). These findings suggest that problematic series watching may function as a maladaptive coping mechanism in response to emotional challenges and loneliness. Participants were divided into two subgroups based on loneliness levels: Low Loneliness group\u0026minus;(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;42), and High Loneliness group (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;22). The High Loneliness group reported significantly higher psychological distress, emotion regulation difficulty, and problematic series watching. A gender-based analysis [Men (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30), and Women (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;34)] revealed that women reported significantly higher loneliness and psychological distress than men.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e The study underscores the need for systematic assessment and intervention targeting loneliness and psychological distress among empty-nest parents. Furthermore, problematic series watching may serve as a coping strategy that could adversely impact their physical and mental well-being.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Coping with the Empty Nest: The Role of Loneliness, Distress, and Emotion Dysregulation in Problematic Series Watching Among Parents of Immigrant Offspring","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-06-27 13:08:27","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6692946/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"388cd555-cdbe-44b5-8841-d70522d61501","owner":[],"postedDate":"June 27th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-09-10T09:38:56+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-06-27 13:08:27","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6692946","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6692946","identity":"rs-6692946","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}