title: Young people in transition: the relationship between homesickness and self-disclosure.
abstract: Whilst the majority of new students cope well with the transition to university, a number experience levels of homesickness which can adversely affect the process of adaptation. In this study the relationship between homesickness and self-disclosure, seen as a possible mediating factor, was assessed in a sample of 83 students (mean age 18.0541 years, s.d.=7.055 months) at the start of their first semester and then 6 weeks later. The results showed that homesickness declined during the semester whilst levels of self-disclosure increased. A significant negative association was found between levels of self-disclosure and homesickness at both time periods. High self-disclosers experienced a significantly greater reduction in homesickness than low self-disclosers. The results showed the importance of the socially-mediated and supportive benefits of self-disclosure during this life transition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bromnick
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities