Homesick Dutch cope better

British students suffer from a high level of homesickness and female students suffer more than males, according to new research.

A study by British and Dutch psychologists found that more than 80 per cent of UK students felt homesick at university at some time, compared with about 50 per cent of Dutch students.

Not only were more British students affected, they felt it harder. Only 5 per cent of Dutch students were often homesick compared with 10 per cent of UK students.

The research was carried out on 280 Cardiff University freshers in 1996 and 482 new Utrecht University students in 1995. It was led by Margaret Stroebe in the Netherlands and Miles Hewstone in Wales.

Homesickness has already been shown to have profound effects on study. It leads to students having poor concentration, handing in work late, lower-quality work and increased anxiety and depression. Concern over student mental health has led Universities UK to carry out a study into student suicide and self-harm.

The study suggested that the Dutch found it easier to settle in because it is common in the Netherlands for students to go home at weekends. Students tend to go to university close to home and they get free public transport.

Researchers found the effects of homesickness lessened the longer students were at college, although some remained homesick.

Professor Hewstone said the most important thing was for universities to acknowledge homesickness. He said: "Point out to students they're not abnormal. Since academics are not trained counsellors, it is best to pass students straight to student counselling."

The researchers added that homesickness should be treated like a mild form of bereavement.

The research appears in the British Journal of Psychology .