Well-Being in the Postparental Stage in Mexican-American Women

Abstract

There has been limited research documenting the effects of the postparental stage of the family cycle in Mexican-American women. This study compared the psychological and physical well-being of middle-aged Mexican-American women from San Antonio who had children present in the home with those who no longer had any children present in the home (postparental). The findings are consistent with the results from studies with other groups that indicate that the postparental stage does not appear to have negative consequences on the psychological and physical well-being of women. However, employment appears to be associated with higher well-being regardless of the stage in the life cycle.