Living in a Hostel in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study on Perspective of Young Women

Authors

  • Zarrin Atif Riphah Institute of Clinical and Professional Psychology, Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Ayza Baig Department of Psychology, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Masha Asad Khan Department of Psychology, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2594-5284

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46662/jrp.v2i2.38

Abstract

Living in a hostel is an unavoidable situation for students who come from different cities in pursuit of higher education at their desired universities. It is generally assumed and often known that the facilities provided at the hostel will aid learning. However, in a country like Pakistan, due to prevalent economic disparities, living in a hostel facility often presents more challenges than comfort to the students. The aim of the study was to identify the problems encountered by students living in the hostels and, more importantly, to understand how these students cope with these difficulties. The study employed qualitative design with purposive sampling that consisted of 7 graduate and undergraduate students from a university in Pakistan, aged between 18 and 25 years. The students belonging to various backgrounds were included in the study to ensure diversity and richness of data. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis was carried out. The results showed that the students faced issues such as difficulty in adjusting to new environments, encountering various attitudes, theft, making new acquaintances, and even homosexuality. However, the positive aspects of living in hostels included developing positive coping skills, self-reliance, and developing patience and tolerance in response to emerging issues. In conclusion, it is important to provide adequate support and facilitation for the students who left their homes for quality education, enabling them to live more comfortably, focus on their academic goals and have a satisfying life.

Keywords: hostel, thematic analysis, coping skills, self-reliance.

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Published

2024-12-30

How to Cite

Atif, Z., Baig, A., & Asad Khan, M. (2024). Living in a Hostel in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study on Perspective of Young Women. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY (JRP), 2(2), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.46662/jrp.v2i2.38