The prevalence and correlates of severe social withdrawal (hikikomori) in Hong Kong: A cross-sectional telephone-based survey study

Abstract

The study finds that the prevalence of severe social withdrawal in Hong Kong is comparable to that in Japan. Both groups with withdrawal behaviors for more or less than 6 months share similar characteristics and are related to other contemporary youth issues, for example, compensated dating and self-injury behavior. The self-perceived non-problematic group appears to be a distinct group and the withdrawal behaviors of its members may be discretionary.

Youth social withdrawal behavior (hikikomori): A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies

“…Having said that, these youths may still need to be engaged very proactively with persistency because they might not have the confidence or interpersonal skills to socialize with strangers, including both laymen and professionals, initially. It is noteworthy that based on the previous findings on the possible change of social withdrawal levels (Wong et al, 2014), when this type of socially withdrawn youth withdraw for a lengthy period of time, some may have more severe social withdrawal condition similar to the overdependent youths. But the underlying process remains the same.…”

“…3 months) as problematic. Wong et al (2014) compared the number of negative life events and the poor mental health status of youths who have been socially withdrawn for more than 6 months and less than 6 months and found that they are very similar. In other words, it seems that there is not much difference between youths who have been withdrawn for 3 months and those who have been withdrawn for 6 months or more.…”

“…One of the most difficult aspects of helping socially withdrawn youth is that they cannot be easily identified and engaged by traditional approaches (Wong et al, 2014). For example, a previous study evaluated home visits for socially withdrawn youths and found that the many youths refuse to talk a lot and the working alliance is weak (Lee et al, 2013).…”

Hikikomori : Multidimensional understanding, assessment, and future international perspectives

“…In Hong Kong, a telephone-based epidemiological survey has revealed that hikikomori sufferers (duration 6 months and over) account for 1.9% of the population. 45 Just recently, we conducted an epidemiological survey focusing on young people in urban areas of mainland China -Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhenthrough socialnetworking services and revealed the existence of hikikomori in mainland China. 46,47 34 ).…”

Psychopathology associated with social withdrawal: Idiopathic and comorbid presentations

“…One form of social withdrawal that has been most commonly described in Japan is hikikomori. It is characterized by persistently reclusive behavior and has a lifetime prevalence of 1-2% in East Asian countries (Koyama et al, 2010;Teo and Gaw, 2010;Wong et al, 2014). Substantial debate exists over whether hikikomori is a unique psychiatric condition or a cultural concept of distress that reflects other underlying psychopathology.…”