Prevalence of hikikomori and associations with suicidal ideation, suicide stigma, and help-seeking among 2,022 young adults in Hong Kong

Fong, Ted C. T.; Yip, Paul

doi:10.1177/00207640231174376

Cited by 12 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…Nevertheless, prior research demonstrated an increase in hikikomori in Japan in the 2010s (Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan, 2010 ; Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan, 2019 ). Additionally, more recent studies, for example, conducted during the pandemic, found higher prevalence rates (e.g., 9.1% for hikikomori among young adults in Hong Kong) (Fong & Yip, 2023 ). Based on the Arabic version of the Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ‐25), another recent study reported a quite high prevalence rate of 44% in Oman during the pandemic (Al‐Sibani et al., 2023 ), stressing the pressing issue of hikikomori and the need for future research in this area.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the German version of the 25‐item hikikomori questionnaire 25

Hajek,

Teo,

Zwar

et al. 2024

Int J Methods Psych Res

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ObjectivesThe 25‐item Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ‐25) is an instrument developed to measure a condition characterized by extreme social withdrawal that was first described in Japan. This study aimed to translate the HQ‐25 into German and validate the German version (HQ‐25‐G).MethodsTranslation was conducted according to established guidelines. Validation was based on data from a quota sample of individuals living in Germany, ranging from 18 to 74 years old (representing the distribution of age, sex and federal state, n = 5000). Data collection occurred during August and September 2023. We tested reliability, construct validity and concurrent validity. Moreover, HQ‐25 scores for key sociodemographic group were reported.ResultsInternal reliability for the HQ‐25‐G was excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93). We confirmed the original three‐factor model. Moreover, higher hikikomori levels were significantly associated with more depressive symptoms (r = 0.50), more anxiety symptoms (r = 0.45), higher loneliness levels (r = 0.56), higher levels of objective social isolation (r = −0.47), higher levels of perceived social isolation (r = 0.59) and a higher preference for solitude (r = 0.45).ConclusionsIn a large population‐based sample (including younger adults, middle‐aged adults and older adults), the HQ‐25‐G version proves to be a psychometrically robust instrument, which is useful for further exploring the phenomenon of hikikomori within the German‐speaking population.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the German version of the 25‐item hikikomori questionnaire 25

Hajek,

Teo,

Zwar

et al. 2024

Int J Methods Psych Res

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“…Two recent phenomena are noteworthy: cave syndrome, which is characterized by elevated anxiety and extreme reluctance to engage in outdoor and social activities [50]. Additionally, hikikomori-a social withdrawal and self-isolating condition that has been exacerbated due to the rigorous restrictions imposed by the pandemic along with the fear of infection [51]. Amidst the global public health crisis, the multidirectional effect of comorbid mental health conditions, loneliness, and suicidal behaviors exacerbated the risk factors in multiple folds.…”

Section: Navigating the Multidirectional Association Between Comorbid...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness and Suicidal Behaviors: A Fresh Mental Health Concern in Post COVID-19 Pandemic Period

Zahir Ahmed

2024

Determinants of Loneliness

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Mounting and multiple-direction evidence have implied the detrimental effect of loneliness on suicidal behavior. The problem has profoundly surfaced during the post COVID-19 pandemic period. The modern human race has a long and deep-rooted endeavor to combat loneliness since it often comes with stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, substance abuse, etc. Surprisingly, the discourse regarding the comorbidity of suicidal behavior, loneliness, along with different other mental health problems often remains disregarded. During the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, the physical, emotional, and financial losses accelerated different mental health problems, including suicidal behaviors. Most of the existing literature has focused on mental health consequences and suicidal behavior as an immediate outcome; however, a capful focused on the deep-rooted long-term effect of suicidal behavior as the consequence of pandemic-induced loneliness. Therefore, this chapter will endeavor to reveal the long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health through the lens of suicidality. Afterward, the discussion will suggest effective intervention plans and community resilience strategies for combating loneliness and suicidal behaviors that surfaced as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“…Since the term "hikikomori" became famous worldwide, its existence has been reported in other countries, especially in Asia [1][2][3][4]. However, while young hikikomori have been the focus of attention, Japan is characterized by a large number of middle-aged hikikomori living with their parents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Characteristics of Body Abandonment by Housemates in Japan

Naito,

Kakiuchi,

Kakimoto

et al. 2024

Cureus

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Introduction: In Japan, many cases occur wherein housemates fail to report dead bodies found in their homes. However, only individual cases are reported through press and court records, and analysis including unreported cases has not been conducted. In this study, we evaluated cases handled by our Forensic Science Department in which housemates did not immediately report a dead body found in their home. We analyzed the overall picture and forensic characteristics of such cases, stratifying whether the abandoners were estimated hikikomori.Methods: Of the 1,179 legal autopsy cases handled by the Department of Forensic Medicine of Tokai University from January 1, 2017, to July 1, 2023, we evaluated 45 cases in which housemates did not immediately report dead bodies. The characteristics analyzed were body age, cause of death, autopsy findings, duration from the body's discovery by the abandoner to the police report, the reason for the lack of report in the first body discovery by the abandoner, and the reason for the report. In this study, the criteria for estimating whether a hikikomori abandoned the body were (1) the police provided the information that the person was a hikikomori or (2) the person met the following four criteria: 20-64 years old, unemployed, not in school, and living with parents.Results: Positive significant differences were found in the body's decomposition and the time from the body's discovery to the report to the police when the abandoner was suspected to be a hikikomori for more than one, four, or eight days. No significant differences were found in the cause of death. Regarding the reported characteristics, when the abandoner was an estimated hikikomori, positive and significant differences were found for recognizing the body and did not report immediately due to shock. Conversely, negative and significant differences were found for the person who reported as the abandoner.Conclusion: This is the first study that reports on body abandonment by housemates and elaborates on its complications to forensic doctors. The incidence rate of abandonment is higher than expected. This study suggests that hikikomori are more likely to hide the bodies for longer, which hinders the death cause investigation.

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Prevalence of hikikomori and associations with suicidal ideation, suicide stigma, and help-seeking among 2,022 young adults in Hong Kong

Cited by 12 publications

References 72 publications

Validation of the German version of the 25‐item hikikomori questionnaire 25

Validation of the German version of the 25‐item hikikomori questionnaire 25

Loneliness and Suicidal Behaviors: A Fresh Mental Health Concern in Post COVID-19 Pandemic Period

Forensic Characteristics of Body Abandonment by Housemates in Japan

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