Research Article
A Qualitative Study Investigating the Impact of Hostel Life
Amina Iftikhar*, Asir Ajmal
Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, Pakistan
- *Corresponding Author:
- Amina Iftikhar
Clinical and Counseling Psychology
Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, Pakistan
E-mail: aminaiftikhar7@gmail.com
Abstract
This qualitative study employed grounded theory to explore the impacts of hostel life on the behavior, and personality of the students. Sample consisted ten hostel students, five male and five female hostel students, and age range was twenty to twenty-five. Open ended questionnaire was constructed for in-depth interviews. Grounded theory was used to conceptualize the findings. Results revealed that hostels have great importance in the educational journey of Pakistani students. Hostel life expands the social circle of the hostel students, because hostel is a combination of multicultural social group. The personality characteristics associated with the hostel students are such as they are considered to be confident, punctual, social, realistic, compromising, responsible, and sharp in many domains of life. During hostel stay, students learn to live with different types of individuals, and hostel life also increases the students’ level of patience. It prepares students to accept challenges in practical life. Individual differences are very common among the hostel roommates. Majority of the male hostel students are affected negatively due to drug use. Result of the study can help to improve quality of hostel services in Pakistan, which may increase student’s hostel life satisfaction.