Does Time Heal Homesickness? Stay Duration, Coping, and Well-Being among Female University Hostel Residents in Pakistan

Moving into a university hostel is a major life transition, and for many young women in South Punjab, Pakistan, hostel residence is a precondition for accessing higher education. Guided by the transactional model of stress and coping and Schlossberg’s transition theory, this convergent mixed-methods study examined whether the psychological experience of hostel life differs by duration of stay. Female students (N = 211) living in government (72.0%) and private (28.0%) hostels in Bahawalpur completed an online survey with closed-ended items and two open-ended questions. Chi-square tests with Monte Carlo p values compared four stay-duration groups (< 6 months to > 2 years), and open-ended responses were analyzed thematically. Homesickness was the most frequently reported predominant emotional state (30.8%), and its prevalence was similar across duration groups (25.9%–32.7%), indicating that it did not fade with time. Prayer was the primary coping strategy for 56.7% of students, followed by socialising (21.6%). Only 42.5% felt supported by hostel authorities, whereas 61.2% were satisfied with their academic life. No outcome differed significantly by stay duration, although students in their second year of residence showed a trend toward higher loneliness, lower hostel satisfaction, and lower perceived support. Qualitative themes described homesickness, sleep disruption, and environmental stressors such as noise, restrictive rules, and staff behavior, alongside personal growth and independence. The findings suggest that hostel adjustment is not a linear process and that support should continue beyond the first semester. Implications for hostel management are discussed in relation to Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 5.