An evaluation of homesickness in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of the quantitative literature on homesickness in children, including how it is assessed and relationship to other negative states. Study selection and synthesis: A literature search was conducted using Medline, PsychINFO and Scopus databases. Studies were included if they assessed homesickness in children under eighteen years of age and were published in peer reviewed journals in the English language between 1990 and December 2020. A total of 176 studies were screened for relevance and 17 met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review with five studies included in the meta-analysis. Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome measure was homesickness severity, and it was examined in relation to measures of depression and anxiety. The literature in relation to known risk and protective factors was also reviewed. Results: Homesickness was reported in the majority of children who were separated from their home. It was associated with negative emotional states. A total of seventeen studies were included in the quantitative review. The meta-analysis showed a significant relationship between homesickness and depression r=0.431 (95% CI 0.344-0.510; p < 0.001) and homesickness and anxiety r=0.426 (95% CI 0.369-0.479; p < 0.001). Age was not a significant moderator of homesickness severity. Consideration of effective interventions to address homesickness was limited. Conclusions and relevance: Homesickness significantly impacts children's well-being regardless of age and is associated with overall distress, depression and anxiety. Future studies are required to examine homesickness interventions and supports to improve well-being in children.