ObjectiveTo investigate the development of mental resilience and its influencing factors for providing the basis in maintaining mental health and formulating intervention measures in empty-nester in a city of Anhui province.

MethodsThree hundred and eighty-nine empty-nesters were selected from Bengbu city of Anhui province using randomly sampling method, and investigated using the self-compiled general condition questionnaire and resilience scale.

ResultsThe total score of mental resilience of empty-nesters was(120.29±16.46), and the overall level was good.The results of univariate analysis showed that the differences of the scores of the mental resilience in empty-nesters with different age, education levels, family annual income, number of children and physical condition were statistically significant(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).The results of multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the education level, family annual income and physical condition were the independent influencing factors of mental resilience level in empty-nesters.The better the physical condition and higher the levels of education and family income were, the higher the level of mental resilience of empty-nesters was(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe mental resilience of empty-nesters is the result of the comprehensive action of many factors.The society and family should take joint efforts to improve the mental resilience level of empty-nesters.