The effect of homesickness on the psychological wellbeing of medical and non-medical students

Brynn Charlesworth

doi:10.33178/SMJ.2021.1.4

Authors

Brynn Charlesworth

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33178/SMJ.2021.1.4

Keywords:

homesickness, medical students, psychological wellbeing

Abstract

Introduction
Homesickness commonly affects students moving to college for the first time, causing physical, psychological, and emotional disturbances. Medical students are particularly vulnerable to distressing feelings due to the already high prevalence of mental illness and burnout within this population.

Aims & Objectives
This review aims to critically evaluate the current literature on homesickness and wellbeing of postsecondary students, assessing the impact of psychological distress and investigating the relationships between mental illness, medical student burnout, and their implications in medical school.

Methods
Searches of PubMed, PsychINFO, and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection databases were conducted to analyse literature on homesickness, student wellbeing, and burnout. These were screened according to pre-defined criteria and articles were assessed for appropriateness.

Results
12 articles successfully met the eligibility criteria. Homesickness was found to affect the majority of freshman students, associated with both a significant decrease in college adjustment and an increase in depression. Within the postsecondary population, psychological distress varied, with medical students having poorer mental health than their peers. The risk for burnout was found to be predictive of mental illness and was associated with unprofessional behaviour.

Discussion
During the transition to college, students are under an enormous amount
of pressure – academically and psychologically. Evidence suggests that homesickness is common, with associations found between homesickness
and depression. A high prevalence of psychological distress among the post- secondary population and a positive correlation between mental illness and burnout was also found. As such, medical student homesickness and burnout should be investigated to decrease potentially devastating consequences.

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