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Cited by 116Youth Substance Use and School AttendanceYouth Education and Societal DynamicsPsychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

Hikikomori Is Most Associated With Interpersonal Relationships, Followed by Suicide Risks: A Secondary Analysis of a National Cross-Sectional Study

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Yong, Roseline, Nomura, Kyoko·2019·Frontiers in Psychiatry
DOI 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00247PMC PMC6476969
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Abstract

There have been few population studies of hikikomori (that is, prolonged social withdrawal and isolation), and the basic correlating factors of hikikomori are yet to be identified. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the associated basic characteristics and psychiatric factors of hikikomori. Data were obtained from the Survey of Young People’s Attitudes of 5,000 residents (aged 15–39 years) who were randomly selected from 200 urban and suburban municipalities in Japan in February 2010. The chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used in the analysis. The data contained 3,262 participants (response rate: 65.4%); 47.7% were men (n = 1,555) and 52.3% were women (n = 1,707). Its prevalence was 1.8% (n = 58) and 41% had been in the hikikomori state for more than 3 years. There were fewer hikikomori people in neighborhoods filled with business and service industries. Significantly more men were in the hikikomori group (65.5%) than in the non-hikikomori group (47.3%). The hikikomori group was more likely to drop out of education (p < .001) and to have a psychiatric treatment history compared with non-hikikomori (37.9% vs 5%, p < .001). The multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that interpersonal relationships were significantly associated with hikikomori across three models (Model 1 adjusting for all basic characteristics, OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.92–2.76; Model 2 further adjusting for mental health-related factors, OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.64–2.68; Model 3 further adjusting for a previous psychiatric treatment history, OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.52–2.51). Additionally, the hikikomori group was more likely to have suicide risk factors (Model 1: OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.56–2.20; Model 2: OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.05–1.67), obsessive-compulsive behaviors (Model 1: OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.20–2.05), and addictive behaviors (Model 1: OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.37–2.70). This is the first study to show that hikikomori is associated with interpersonal relationships, followed by suicide risks. Hikikomori people are more likely to be male, have a history of dropping out from education, and have a previous psychiatric treatment history.

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  1. [25]American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Fifth Edition Washington, USA: American Psychiatric Association (2013). p. 947. (DSM-5).
  2. [26]Yong R The local hikikomori intervention program: the essentials of “ibasho.” Stepping out of hikikomori: sense of relief, peers, bonding. Akita J Public Health (2017) 13(1): 14– 23. Available at: http://www.med.akita-u.ac.jp/∼eisei/pdf/zenbun/H29AkitaJPH.pdf (Accessed Jun 1, 2017). Japanese.
  3. [28]Yong R Exploring hikikomori: a mixed methods qualitative research. [master’s]. Hong Kong: The University of Hong Kong (2008). 10.5353/th_b4171214 · DOI
  4. [30]Yong R Toyoshima M Fujita K Sasaki H Association between hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal and isolation) and lifestyle, psychosocial factors and social capital. Akita Public Health J (2018) 14(1): 22–8 Available at: http://www.med.akita-u.ac.jp/∼eisei/pdf/zenbun/H30AkitaJPH.pdf (Accessed Jun 1, 2017). Japanese.

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Authors
Yong, R., & Nomura, K.
Affiliations
Akita University (JP)
Corresponding author
Yong, Roseline
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2019-04-16
Volume
10
Pages
247-247
ISSN
1664-0640 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00247
PMC
PMC6476969
OpenAlex
W2938320043
Cited by
116
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 1
FWCI
28.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • University of Tokyo
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (17K09191)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Youth Education and Societal Dynamics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
Keywords
hikikomori, social withdrawal, social isolation, interpersonal relationships, suicide risk, psychiatric treatment history, educational dropout, sex differences, young adults, mental health, Japan

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