Homesickness among rural Appalachian university students

• Published in: Journal of American college health Vol. ahead-of-print; no. ahead-of-print; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Roxas, Katrina A., Shapiro, April L., Chisholm, Sheri C., Niland, Diana L., House, Michelle A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 07.02.2023
• Subjects: Appalachian; homesickness; university students; university students; Appalachian; homesickness
• ISSN: 0744-8481; 1940-3208
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2172579

Objective: Homesickness among university students may impact their wellbeing and academic success. The study purpose was to examine homesickness and self-reported outcomes/university life events among students on a rural Appalachian campus. Methods: A descriptive study (N = 91) using electronic questionnaires was conducted. Results: Most participants (65%) reported homesickness, especially around move-in time, with several events making it better/worse; and were more likely to reside in-state, be at the sophomore level or above, and live in an apartment/dormitory. There were significant associations between homesickness and self-reported outcomes (anxiety, depression, wanting to drop out). Conclusions: Homesickness is prevalent among rural Appalachian students. Interprofessional collaboration to identify and mitigate effects on students' wellbeing and academic success is key. Tailoring campus life, including food options and on-campus activities, to meet student needs may promote a sense of comfort and decrease homesickness. Educational intervention to improve homesickness among university students is warranted.