Chengcheng Yin
Virtual Homelands: Examining the Potential of VR Landscapes to alleviate Homesickness for International Students
My research explores the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) landscapes in alleviating homesickness among international students. Homesickness is a common emotional challenge that affects students studying abroad, often impacting their mental well-being and academic performance. Traditional coping strategies, such as social interactions and engagement with familiar cultural elements, may not always be readily available. This research investigates whether immersive VR environments, particularly those replicating familiar or comforting landscapes, can serve as an effective psychological support tool. The study is structured around several key questions: What features of VR landscapes contribute most to reducing homesickness? How do factors such as visual realism and interactivity influence emotional responses? Does the frequency and duration of VR exposure impact its effectiveness? Additionally, the research examines the role of cultural background and personal preferences in shaping users’ experiences. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining qualitative interviews with international students and quantitative assessments of emotional responses. Participants engage with different VR landscapes designed to evoke place attachment and emotional comfort. Data is collected through self-reported feedback, psychological well-being scales, and observational analysis to determine the impact of VR exposure. The findings of this research aim to contribute to the growing field of environmental psychology and digital therapeutic interventions. By understanding how VR landscapes can support emotional well-being, this study may inform the design of future VR applications for students, expatriates, and individuals experiencing displacement. Ultimately, this research highlights the intersection of technology, psychology, and spatial experience in addressing the emotional challenges of global mobility.
Supervisors
Dr Bruno Marques & Jacqueline McIntosh
Conferences
60th ISOCARP WORLD PLANNING CONGRESS, 8-12 OCTOBER, "Healing Cities: Integrating Virtual Reality Therapeutic Landscapes into Urban Planning for Future Well-being".