Homesickness in Hospitalized Children: Concept Analysis

Abstract

Introduction

Homesickness is a natural human emotion that may occur under specific conditions, such as separation from home and entry into unfamiliar environments. Children are particularly vulnerable to experiencing homesickness in scenarios such as hospitalization due to separation from home and family and exposure to an unfamiliar setting. This study aimed to clarify the concept of homesickness in hospitalized children.

Methods

Concept analysis was conducted using Walker and Avant's approach. A literature review was performed on databases including PUBMED, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Scopus using the keywords homesickness and hospitalized children, without language restrictions, and encompassing studies published between 2000 and 2024.

Findings

A total of 198 articles and texts were identified, of which 7 met the inclusion criteria. The review revealed that homesickness manifests in two categories: physical and behavioral characteristics. Illness and hospitalization were found to trigger homesickness in children, which can have detrimental effects on their health and recovery process.

Conclusion

This study sought to analyze the concept of homesickness in hospitalized children. The clarification of this concept helps healthcare providers recognize the signs of homesickness and respond appropriately to the emotional needs of hospitalized children. Addressing these needs can reduce feelings of homesickness, thereby expediting their recovery process.