A Qualitative Inquiry of Homesickness, Psychological Problems, and Coping Responses among Female University Hostelites
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36755/themind.v4i1.19Keywords:
University Hostelites, Coping Responses, Psychological Problems, Homesickness, Female University HostelitesAbstract
This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of homesickness, psychological problems, and coping responses among female university hostelites. Using purposive sampling, six subjects (n=6), aged 17 to 22 years, residing resided in university hostel for at least last six months. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted to gather the qualitative data, enabling participants to freely and confidentially discuss their experiences. Their shared experienced were examined with the help of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Subthemes of homesickness included difficulty in adjusting, desire to live in home, and longing for family members. Subthemes of psychology problems experienced by the participants were sleep difficulties, sadness, feelings of loneliness, and intense anger. Subthemes, identified regarding their responses towards homesickness and psychological problems, were seeking support from friends, expanding social circle, cognitive reframing, patience, regulating emotions, and keeping oneself busy as well. The overall findings revealed how female university hostelites experienced homesickness and psychological problems while staying away from home. Their coping responses towards homesickness and psychological problems helped them in adjusting in hostel, and as well as overcoming psychological issues.
Downloads
References
1. Akmal, A., Sajjad, M., & Akhlaq, B. (2023). Relationship of adjustment problems with quality of life: A survey among students living in hostel settings. Pakistan Journal of Social Research, 5(1), 526–535.
2. Awan, H. K., Nosheen, N., & Ajaz, N. (2025). Exploring and understanding the subjective experiences of “home” feeling away: Students living in hostels. Research Journal of Psychology, 3(1), 345–356.
3. Amelia, R., & Kholidin, F. I. (2025). Students' adaptation strategies in coping with homesickness: A qualitative systematic review. KONSELI: Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling (E-Journal), 12(1), 113–122.
4. Amlashi, R. S., Majzoobi, M. R., & Forstmeier, S. (2025). Acculturative stress and psychological well-being: The mediating role of social support, difficulties in emotion regulation, and meaning-centered coping style among international students in Germany. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 108, 102272.
5. Ansar, F., Naveed, H., Khattak, A., & Khan, S. A. (2023). Frequency of anger and its potential relationship with self-esteem and adverse childhood experiences among medical and sociology undergraduate students in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 39(2), 524.
6. Biasi, V., Mallia, L., Russo, P., Menozzi, F., Cerutti, R., & Violani, C. (2018). Homesickness experience, distress and sleep quality of first-year university students dealing with academic environment. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 8(1).
7. Bibi, A., Saleem, A., Khalid, M. A., & Shafique, N. (2020). Emotional intelligence and aggression among university students of Pakistan: A correlational study. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 29(2), 134–148. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2019.1709592
8. Bai, J. (2016). Development and validation of the Acculturative Stress Scale for Chinese College Students in the United States (ASSCS). Psychological Assessment, 28(4), 443.
9. Demetriou, E. A., Boulton, K. A., Bowden, M. R., Thapa, R., & Guastella, A. J. (2022). An evaluation of homesickness in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 297, 463–470.
10. English, T., Davis, J., Wei, M., & Gross, J. J. (2017). Homesickness and adjustment across the first year of college: A longitudinal study. Emotion, 17(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000235
11. Fatima, N., Munir, M. F., & Majeed, S. (2024). Homesickness, physical and psychological health in undergraduate students. International Journal of Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences, 3(3), 1679–1688. https://ijciss.org/index.php/ijciss/article/view/1332
12. Ferrara, T. (2020). Understanding homesickness: A review of the literature. Journal for Leadership and Instruction, 19(1), 40–43. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1255848.pdf
13. Hasan, D., Kazmi, U. E. R., & Jawahir, K. (2017). Gender differences in adjustment issues, quality of life and psychological resilience among hostel students. Pakistan Journal of Gender Studies, 15(1), 45–60.
14. Hydrie, M. Z. I., Arzoo, A., Atif, M., & Zafar, A. (2024). Evaluation of mental disorders among day scholars and hostel medical students-place of residence matters. Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.63050/jpps.21.02.338
15. Iftikhar, A., & Ajmal, A. (2015). A qualitative study investigating the impact of hostel life. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, 17(2), 511–515.
16. Jawed, S., Altaf, B., Salam, R. M. T., & Ijaz, F. (2021). Frequency of emotional disturbances among hostelites and day scholars medical students. JPMA: The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 71(1A), 73–77.
17. Ishaq, G., Malik, N. I., & Asif, M. (2018). Relationship of loneliness and psychological well-being among university hostel students: Moderating role of self-esteem. Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 6(2), 242–255.
18. Kinnaird, M. S., Aziz, A., & Khan, M. A. (2023). Homesickness, self-esteem, and college adjustment among students living in hostels. Research Journal of Social Sciences and Economics Review, 4(4), 41–52.
19. Khan, A. W., Akhtar, S., Ijaz, U., & Waqas, A. (2021). Prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in Pakistan: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 284, 156–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.02.027
20. Luqman, R., Ghous, M., Nawaz, J., Ali, A., Kanwal, M., & Yaqoob, I. (2020). Factors associated with sleep deprivation and their impact on academic performance of hostelites of twin cities of Pakistan. Sleep, 65(89), 11.
21. Medani, K. E., Alqadhibi, M. A., Almutairi, A. M., Asiree, R. H. A., Silsilah, M. A., Almutairi, K. N., & Sami, W. (2024). Challenges university students face while studying away from hometown: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 16(Suppl 1), S459–S462. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_719_23
22. Memon, A., Najeeb, M., Qazi, A., Memon, A. F., Usman, G., & Memon, M. (2023). Psychosocial problems of female students living in university hostels. Annals of Punjab Medical College, 17(4), 545–549.
23. Moubeen, R., Afzal, H., Naseer, S., Liaqat, S., Naz, F., & Waheed, K. (2024). Explore the impact of homesickness, depression, and conscientiousness on hosteled students’ academic procrastination. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.815
24. Mori, S. C. (2000). Addressing the mental health concerns of international students. Journal of Counseling & Development, 78(2), 137–144.
25. Mehmood, F., Jameel, M. R., & Malik, A. (2020). Homesickness, social connectedness, and academic performance in hostelites. International Journal of Social Science and Economics Invention, 6(11), 369–373. https://doi.org/10.23958/ijssei/vol06-i11/246
26. Nauta, M. H., aan het Rot, M., Schut, H., & Stroebe, M. (2020). Homesickness in social context: An ecological momentary assessment study among 1st-year university students. International Journal of Psychology, 55(3), 392–397.
27. Qirtas, M. M., Zafeiridi, E., White, E. B., & Pesch, D. (2023). The relationship between loneliness and depression among college students: Mining data derived from passive sensing. Digital Health, 9, 20552076231211104.
28. Rafiq, S., Iqbal, A., Rehman, S. U., Waqas, M., Naveed, M. A., & Khan, S. A. (2021). Everyday life information seeking patterns of resident female university students in Pakistan. Sustainability, 13(7), 3884.
29. Stroebe, M., Schut, H., & Nauta, M. (2015). Homesickness: A systematic review of the scientific literature. Review of General Psychology, 19(2), 157–171.
30. Shan, J., & Xu, T. (2025). The role of hope, academic thriving, and adaptive coping in fostering peace of mind among university students: A mixed-methods study. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1510244.
31. Sheng, L., Dai, J., & Lei, J. (2022). The impacts of academic adaptation on psychological and sociocultural adaptation among international students in China: The moderating role of friendship. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 89, 79–89.
32. Thurber, C. A., & Walton, E. A. (2012). Homesickness and adjustment in university students. Journal of American College Health, 60(5), 415–419.
33. Zaidi, S. G. S., Qureshi, F., & Khan, M. (2025). Effects of homesickness on mental health and sleep among newly admitted students residing in hostels in public universities of Punjab, Pakistan: A qualitative study. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 5(2), 1760. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v5i2.1760
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Maham Haroon, Dr. Riffat Sadiq, Ms. Sumaira Hayat (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
