Chapter 1

Introduction

In the 16th century, Swiss wartime soldiers were forced to leave their homes. A particular

case of a migrant soldier, who had fallen ill due to intense pining for home, hallmarked the

coining of the term ‘nostalgia’ by Swiss scholar Johannes Hofer. During this period, nostalgia

and homesickness were synonymous; both referring to the longing predominantly of Swiss

soldiers to return to their native land (Stott, 2013).

By the 17th to 18th century, homesickness became known as a medical condition named

‘Swiss disease,’ curable only by returning to the homeland, during which symptoms begin to

subside (Stott, 2013). In the past few centuries, homesickness has evolved as a psychological

phenomenon, wherein feelings of distress and anxiety arise due to a separation from home

(Thurber & Weisz, 1997), which then, causes a failure to adjust to the new environment (Van

Tilburg & Vingerhoets, 2005).

Transition to college or university entails major adjustments and decisions. One of the

major factors in choosing which university or college to go to is its quality. However, good

universities and colleges are inaccessible for some students due to proximity discrepancies. A

recent survey in 2014 by China Daily USA reported that 64.1 percent of student interviewees

who are considering to study abroad listed the quality of education a school may provide as their

major consideration in choosing their destination country. In the Philippines, the number of

students who left the country to study abroad is estimated to reach almost 11,200 by 2011 and

has succinctly increased in the past 11 years compared to the 5,494 students in 2000 (“Student

Insight,” 2013). …..

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to investigate the risk factors and coping mechanisms on homesickness

among college students of Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) who live independently.

Specifically, it seeks to:

1. determine the…

2. characterize…

3. investigate …

Significance of the Study

This study on the risk factors and coping mechanisms on homesickness among Ateneo de

Zamboanga University college students living independently will be of great significance to the

following:

Students

The study may identify patterns of homesick behaviours and coping mechanisms that

may assist students in managing their homesickness….

Teachers

This study may increase the awareness of concerned teachers on the possible adjustment

difficulties, both academic and non-academic….

Guidance Counsellors

Relevant information on the homesickness tendencies and complexities of college

students living independently maybe useful in ….

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study will be limited to the discussion of risk factors and coping mechanisms on

homesickness among college students who are living ….

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Definition of Terms

Coping Mechanisms

The means students living independently consciously use to address homesickness.

Homesickness

It is a distress or impairment caused by an actual or anticipated separation from home

(Thurber & Walton, 2012).

Living Independently

The act of staying in dorms, boarding houses, apartments, etc. inside and outside of the

Fr. Eusebio Salvador SJ Campus, without the direct supervision of parents or guardians in their

present abodes.

Risk Factors

These are traits, behaviours, habits and other variables that may increase the probability

of homesickness among students.

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 Chapter 2

Review of Literature

This chapter presents previously written content, such as research literature and

studies that are relevant and significant to the research under consideration…..

Homesickness has been proven to be prevalent in a variety of institutions like hospitals,

armies, boarding schools and universities. It is a “commonly experienced state of distress among

those who have left their house and home and find themselves in a new and unfamiliar

environment... [and is characterized by] …..

Risk Factors in Homesickness

Thurber (1995) conducted a study on homesickness with age and gender as controlled

variables. Results of said research supported four hypotheses. Firstly, it supported the idea that

homesickness was prevalent in boys of which 83 percent reported to be homesick and 5.8 percent

were severely homesick. Secondly, homesickness in boys …

Coping Mechanisms on Homesickness

When one becomes more vulnerable to experiencing homesickness, there are varying

mechanisms among students which help them cope up. On a study by Mundia and Shahrill

(2013), the following are the most widely used: focusing on solving the problem, seeking

relaxing diversions, focusing on the positive, seeking social support, worrying, seeking to

belong, investing in….

Theoretical Framework

One of the first theorists to introduce the importance of belonging in human development

was Abraham Maslow (1954). Maslow's (1954) hierarchy of needs proposed that for us to reach

our full potential, we must first meet prerequisites. In order from basic to most sophisticated,

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Maslow's needs included: physiological (shelter, food), safety (being secure and feeling safe),

love and belonging (a sense of feeling connected with and cared by others), esteem (feeling a

sense of competence and self-worth), and self-actualization. Maslow argued that if a person did

not feel a sense of belonging, they would not be able to reach a full and authentic sense of life

satisfaction.

Drawing from Maslow's (1954) hierarchy of needs, the belongingness theory, founded by

Baumeister and Leary (1995), proposed that the "need to form and maintain at least a minimum

quantity of interpersonal relationships, is innately prepared (and hence nearly universal) among

human beings" (p. 499). Baumeister and Leary suggested that the achievement of interpersonal

acceptance leads to feelings of pleasure and fulfilment. On the contrary, when faced with rejection

or a loss of previously established social bonds, people experience psychological disturbances…

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 Chapter 3

Methodology

Research Design

This study will employ a cases study design to determine the risk factors which have

contributed to the homesickness of the students living independently and their coping

mechanisms…

For the qualitative data, a standardized survey questionnaire will be used to determine the

common risk factors and coping mechanisms among students of Ateneo de Zamboanga

University. An interview shall also be conducted to …..

Participants and Sampling Method

Three on or off campus dormitories will be identified for the selection of responden for

the survey. There will be 30 respondents selected from students living independently in the

Ateneo de Zamboanga University with10 for each dormitory. These students will have to meet

certain criteria to be classified as a respondent of the prepared survey and interview.

A purposive, non-random sampling method will be used to determine the respondents for

the survey. The criteria are as follows …

Data Collection Method and Instrumentation

A five-part modified version of a standardized homesickness questionnaire by Eanna

McCarthy (See Appendix A) will be adapted to answer the three research questions. This

standardized questionnaire has also been used and adapted by other research studies with data

published in online journals. …of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University to determine the

counselors’ awareness on the problem of homesickness and their most commonly used

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approaches or interventions to address it. The interview will follow six guide questions (see

Appendix E).

Data Collection Procedure

There will be three dormitories inside and outside the campus which will be visited for

the distribution of the adapted survey questionnaires. A brief orientation of the study will be held

to introduce the possible respondents for the purpose of the study. A series of questions before

the actual survey will be asked to determine if students are qualified to be the respondents of the

study based on the criteria provided by the researchers. Ten respondents per dormitory who will

fit the given criteria …

The data gathered in the survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview will

then be tallied and analyzed based on commonalities and differences. Data will be interpreted

based on the correlation of each survey and interview question (as provided by the standard

survey questionnaire) to the risk factor or coping mechanism.

Data Analysis

The survey questionnaires will be collected and categorized by year level based on the

information from the first part of the survey questionnaire. The data from the second part of the

survey questionnaire will be tabulated to determine the most common degree by which the

respondents become more vulnerable to homesickness. The data gathered for this portion will be

analyzed based on two factors: dislike for the university and strong attachment to home. Data

gathered for this portion shall address the first research question. The third part of the

questionnaire shall answer the second research question. The responses will be tallied and

analyzed based on the result as to which factors in the respondents’ personalities are the most

common among those suffering from homesickness.

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 The responses tallied from the fourth part of the questionnaire shall be analyzed based on

four classifications….

Ethical Consideration

Informed consent will be obtained from the participants. The initial letter of the

questionnaire will include a clear explanation of the study objectives and will assure the

participants regarding the anonymity as well as the confidentiality of the information. Students

will then be invited to complete the questionnaire and will be informed that they could stop

answering the questions in the event of discomfort. No incentive of any form will be given…

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 References

Archer, J., Ireland, J., Su-Ling, A., Broad, H. & Currid, L. (1998, May). Derivation of a

homesickness scale. The British Psychological Society, 89(2), 205-221.

doi:10.1111/j.2044-8295.1998.tb02681.x

Besser, A., Endler, N.S., & Flett, G.L. (2009). Separation anxiety, perceived controllability, and

homesickness. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 39(2), 265–282.

doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00438.x

Brewin, C.R., Furnham, A., & Howes, M. (1989). Demographic and psychological determinants

of homesickness and confiding among students. British Journal of Psychology, 80, 467-

477. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8295.1989.tb02336.x

British Council. (2013). Student insight: The Philippines. Retrieved January 23, 2014, from

http://ihe.britishcouncil.org/educationintelligence/student-insight-philippines

Fisher, S., & Hood, B. (1987). The stress of the transition to university: A longitudinal study of

psychological disturbance, absentmindedness and vulnerability to homesickness. British

Journal of Psychology, 78, 425-441. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8295.1987.tb02260.x

McCarthy, E. (n.d.). The factors which influence homesickness and the methods used to

overcome homesickness. Retrieved February 15, 2014, from

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FSLF8NC

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 Appendix A

Transmittal Letter

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 Appendix B

Interview Questionnaire

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