Risk factors of hikikomori among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective online survey

Abstract

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has forced people to restrict their outings. In Japan, self-restraint behavior (SRB) has been requested by the government, and some of those decreasing their outings may shift to pathological social withdrawal; hikikomori. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk factors of hikikomori conducting an online prospective survey. An online survey was conducted in June 2020 and December 2020; (1) SRB-related indicators (degree of SRB, motivation for SRB, stigma and self-stigma toward COVID-19, anxiety and depressive feelings toward COVID-19) and (2) general mental health (hikikomori tendency, depressive symptoms, modern type depression (MTD) tendency, internet addiction) were collected. A cross-lagged effects model was performed to examine the association between these variables. Lack of emotional support and lack of socialization in June 2020 increased isolation in December 2020. Besides, MTD and hikikomori interacted with each other. Interestingly, although hikikomori tendency increased depressive tendencies, SRB itself did not have a significant path on any mental health-related variables. Poor interpersonal relationships, rather than SRB per se, are suggested to be a risk factor for increased isolation among office workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. Appropriate early interventions such as interpersonal or emotional support may prevent the transition to pathological hikikomori. The association between MTD and hikikomori seems to reveal the interesting possibility that MTD is a gateway to increased risk of hikikomori, and that hikikomori is a gateway to MTD as well. Future research is required to elucidate the relationship between hikikomori and MTD.

Hikikomori Syndrome and Digital Technologies: A Systematic Review

“…In the study by Gavin and Brosnan, 35 increased time spent using digital technologies was associated with reduced symptoms of social withdrawal. This finding aligns with a study evaluating remote workers, which showed that the IAT score had a negative cross-lagged effect with the lack of socialization on the HQ-25 56 …”

“…This finding aligns with a study evaluating remote workers, which showed that the IAT score had a negative cross-lagged effect with the lack of socialization on the HQ-25. 56 Further study is needed to clarify the role played by digital technologies in HS. The use of technologies may have beneficial effects that were not evaluated by the measures used in the studies included in this review.…”

Contemporary Hermits: A Developmental Psychopathology Account of Extreme Social Withdrawal (Hikikomori) in Young People

“…As noted earlier, the communication between parents and their child is often suboptimal: parents are often rejective and negative toward their child, tend to evade sensitive topics, and display indulgent behavior to avoid emotional outbursts of their offspring. Kubo et al ( 2020 , 2021 ) developed a special intervention program for parents of young people with ESW, with the aim to increase knowledge about the condition, offer tools for how best to react to their withdrawn offspring, and change malfunctional family interactions (using elements of cognitive-behavior therapy). Pilot investigations have indicated that the program has positive effects on parents’ interactive skills and supportive actions toward offspring with ESW, although it should be emphasized that the effect sizes for these changes were quite modest and certainly did not lead to a substantial improvement of young people’s withdrawal behavior.…”

An Overview on Social Withdrawal-Hikikomori in Japan and Support in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese government has requested citizens to selfrestraint. People may shift to pathologically social withdrawal, known as Hikikomori (Kubo et al, 2022). The rise of this phenomenon in Japanese news, especially NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai -Japan Broadcasting Corporation) website addressed concerns among citizens and government.…”