Case Study On Improving The Resilience Of Empty-nest Elderly In Cities From The Perspective Of Empowerment Theor

As the urbanization process and aging population trend in our country continue to deepen,the population composition has undergone significant changes,with the number and proportion of "empty nest" elderly individuals steadily increasing,leading to an increasingly severe aging problem.Aging has gradually evolved into a social issue that cannot be ignored,and the "empty nest" elderly represent a special social group that has garnered widespread attention.They face a series of challenges: on one hand,the decline of physical functions leads to various physiological and psychological issues,such as loneliness,emotional deprivation,and inadequate care;on the other hand,due to social progress and the acceleration of the pace of life,children’s awareness of addressing their parents’ aging concerns has gradually weakened,leaving the "empty nest" elderly largely lacking in care and nurturing,and potentially leading to self-doubt and deviation from their original life trajectories.Therefore,it is crucial to enhance the resilience of "empty nest" elderly individuals in the face of these challenges,effectively assisting them in coping with the complex challenges of life.This study,from an empowerment perspective,conducted an in-depth case study on an "empty nest" elderly individual,Quan Mou,in the Z Community of Chengdu,and explored various factors contributing to the enhancement of resilience among "empty nest" elderly.During the data collection process,we employed semi-structured interviews,questionnaires,and participant observation to gain a deep understanding of Quan Mou’s life predicament.In the case intervention stage,comprehensive empowerment interventions were implemented for Quan Mou at the individual,social interaction,and social participation levels,including psychological empowerment(stimulating endogenous motivation),capability enhancement(strengthening self-identity),family support(leveraging family strengths),peer support(rebuilding external support),volunteer support(expanding social networks),cultural and recreational activities(promoting community participation),and resource linkage(participating in community co-construction).Through the implementation of these empowerment strategies,Quan Mou’s resilience significantly improved,and the quality of life also improved.This study highlights the importance of the case work method in addressing the problems of "empty nest" elderly individuals.Compared to traditional group work methods,case work can more comprehensively explore the real-life difficulties faced by "empty nest" elderly,understand their individualized needs and service requirements,and provide more refined and personalized services and support.Therefore,this study not only provides strong theoretical support for enhancing the resilience of "empty nest" elderly individuals in future social work practice,but also holds significant theoretical and practical implications for guiding the development of "empty nest" elderly care services and addressing aging-related crises in gerontological social work practice.