Derivation of a homesickness scale

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Student Mental Health
• Coping Mechanisms

Background:

• Homesickness is a common experience for students transitioning to university.
• Previous measures of homesickness were limited, necessitating a more comprehensive assessment tool.
• Understanding the psychological and health impacts of homesickness is crucial for student support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a robust 33-item Homesickness Questionnaire (HQ).
• To investigate the relationship between homesickness and psychological/health symptoms in first-year university students.
• To explore the underlying factors contributing to homesickness.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Homesickness Questionnaire (HQ) based on grief modification for separation.
• Administration of the HQ to three samples of first-year university students (N = 264).
• Correlational analysis, subgroup comparisons, meta-analysis of previous studies, and factor analysis of the HQ.

Main Results:

• The 33-item HQ demonstrated high correlation with single-item homesickness measures.
• Homesick students reported significantly more health and psychological symptoms, and cognitive failures.
• Factor analysis revealed two key dimensions: disliking the university and attachment to home.

Conclusions:

• The Homesickness Questionnaire (HQ) is a reliable and valid measure for assessing homesickness.
• Homesickness is multifaceted, encompassing negative perceptions of the university environment and strong ties to home.
• Women exhibited higher intrusive thinking, linked to attachment to home, but not avoidant responses.