Absract. The transition to college or university can be an exciting
new experience for many young adults. For some, intense
homesickness can make this move difficult, even unsustainable.
Homesickness—defined as the distress or impairment caused by
an actual or anticipated separation from home—carries the unique
hallmark of preoccupying thoughts of home and attachment objects.
Sufferers typically report depression and anxiety, withdrawn
behavior, and difficulty focusing on topics unrelated to home. For
domestic and international university students, intense homesickness
is particularly problematic. It can exacerbate preexisting mood
and anxiety disorders, precipitate new mental and physical health
problems, and sometimes lead to withdrawal from school. New
research, consolidated here for the first time, points to promising
prevention and treatment strategies for homesick students, the result
of which can be a healthy, gratifying, and productive educational
experience.