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Abstract
Hikikomori is a recent phenomenon among young adults in which they isolate themselves from social contacts and responsibility for more than 6 months. This problem has assumed epidemic proportions in Japan and has been widely discussed across disciplines. Previous studies have associated hikikomori with a maladaptation to structural change, an emergent mental problem that needs new diagnosis, or an under-diagnosed schizophrenic disorder. Most previous work has adopted a clinical perspective, and there have been no qualitative studies exploring the individual feelings of people suffering from the syndrome. We adopted a qualitative method using a grounded theory approach. Data collection and analysis took place between September 2006 and August 2008. Theoretical sampling included eight informants from snowball sampling and an online observation consisting of 160 online participants. Analysis focused on informants’ first- and second-person experiences of hikikomori. Data analysis revealed one overriding theme: coping difficulties consisting of the two categories stasis and expression. As a result of conflicting demands and reduced autonomy, respondents experienced stasis, which prevented them from moving forward; “hiding” or “avoiding” heightened the expression of their behaviors. This is the first study to explore the in-depth experience of individuals suffering from hikikomori syndrome in a non-clinical setting. We argue that hikikomoriis not a result of asocial behavior, but rather an anomic response to a situation that informants felt powerless to change and from which they could see no way out. We also observed that feelings of hopelessness and relationship fatigue might be overcome by introducing a relaxed social environment that people can control during rehabilitation.
Highlights
Hikikomori was first defined by Japanese researchers as a unique social withdrawal and isolation syndrome that describes young adults not engaged in work or study, not in the process of finding a job, and who have had no relationships with others for more than 6 months; behavior in hikikomori is not related to psychiatric problems [1]
Each informant described a case of a person suffering from hikikomori syndrome
We suggest that future research should focus solely on firsthand experiences of hikikomori syndrome, rather than including family members of people with hikikomori
Summary
Hikikomori was first defined by Japanese researchers as a unique social withdrawal and isolation syndrome that describes young adults not engaged in work or study, not in the process of finding a job, and who have had no relationships with others (except family members) for more than 6 months; behavior in hikikomori is not related to psychiatric problems [1]. Hikikomori syndrome can arise from any cause. The word has recently made its way into the Oxford Dictionary of English and features in international social media, where it is the topic of numerous video clips, films, anime, and articles (Appendix). As media depictions of hikikomori have always been associated, rather dramatically, with suicide and crime, the word has a negative connotation, resulting in extra emotional stress to sufferers and their family members. Hikikomori syndrome has had a tremendous social impact. The phenomenon attracted international academic attention as early as 2002 with a review article in The Lancet suggesting that hikikomori was a new and urgent public health problem [3]. A 2011 article in the same journal suggested that hikikomoriwas an undiagnosed mental illness that was rapidly spreading to countries outside of Japan [4]
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