Prediction of Homesickness Based on Maladaptive Schemas, Psychological Flexibility, and Social Desirability among Medical and Paramedical Female Students in Dormitories in Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in 2022

Introduction: Being away from anything familiar, stable, comfortable, or positive can lead to a sense of homesickness. This study aims to predict homesickness based on maladaptive schemas, psychological flexibility, and social desirability in female students residing in dormitories of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population comprised all the female students residing in dormitories of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in 2022. The sample included 125 students selected using convenience sampling method. The students filled out the following questionnaires: the Utrecht Homesickness Scale, the Young Schema Questionnaire, the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, and the Marlowe Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation test and multiple regression. Results: According to the findings, psychological flexibility and social desirability significantly and negatively (p<0.05) predicted homesickness. Furthermore, schema of mistrust, social isolation, defectiveness, emotional deprivation, dependence, vulnerability, an underdeveloped self, failure, entitlement, insufficient self-control, subjugation, emotional inhibition, and unrelenting standards significantly and positively predicted homesickness in the students (p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that homesickness among dormitory students can be predicted through their maladaptive schemas, and perception of social desirability.