Hikikomori and the COVID-19 pandemic: not leaving behind the socially withdrawn

Roza, Thiago Henrique; Spritzer, Daniel Tornaim; Gadelha, Ary; Passos, Ives Cavalcante

doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2020-1145

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 21 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…Taken together, the results suggest that psychological wellbeing generally (rather than related to the impact of lockdown specifically) and a reduced level of leaving the house are two key indicators of hikikomori risk, and both are mediated by autistic traits. This is consistent with the proposal that COVID-19 restrictions detrimentally impact upon those susceptible to hikikomori [ 16 , 34 , 35 ], and that we need to pay attention the psychological wellbeing of those with higher levels of autistic traits and to ensure that hikikomori are not ‘left behind’ as societies emerge from COVID-19 restrictions [ 42 – 44 ]. The importance of this is reflected in the significantly higher proportion of those at risk of hikikomori who self-reported being NEET (consistent with [ 10 ]), which can be a marker of long-term disadvantage [ 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Autistic traits predict increased negative emotional response to COVID-19 [ 41 ], with higher levels of autistic traits predicting a greater negative emotional response. Consequently, it has been argued that we needed to pay attention to the psychological wellbeing of those with higher levels of autistic traits during and after the COVID-19 pandemic [ 42 , 43 ] and to ensure that hikikomori are not ‘left behind’ as societies emerge from COVID-19 restrictions [ 44 ]. Specifically, young adults are at a critical transition stage and were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 restrictions, becoming more susceptible to both decreases in psychological wellbeing [ 45 , 46 ] and increases in hikikomori risk [ 16 , 34 , 35 , 47 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of higher levels of autistic traits on risk of hikikomori (pathological social withdrawal) in young adults

Brosnan

Gavin

2023

PLoS ONE

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Background Hikikomori is an extreme state of social withdrawal, originally identified in Japan but more recently recognised internationally. Many countries imposed restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic which may have had a detrimental impact on those at risk of hikikomori, specifically young adults and those with high levels of autistic traits. Aims To explore whether levels of autistic traits mediate the relationship between psychological wellbeing and hikikomori risk. We also looked at whether autistic traits mediated between lockdown experiences (e.g. not leaving the house) and hikikomori risk. Methods 646 young people (aged 16–24) from a wide range of countries completed an online questionnaire assessing psychological wellbeing, autistic traits and experiences of lockdown for this cross-sectional study. Results Autistic traits mediated the relationship between both psychological wellbeing and hikikomori risk, as well as frequency of leaving the house during lockdown and hikikomori risk. Greater hikikomori risk was associated with poor psychological wellbeing, higher autistic traits and leaving the house less frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions These findings suggest similarities with Japanese hikikomori research and are consistent with suggestions that psychological wellbeing and COVID-19 restrictions are associated with increased hikikomori risk in young adults, and both associations are mediated by higher levels of autistic traits.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of higher levels of autistic traits on risk of hikikomori (pathological social withdrawal) in young adults

Brosnan

Gavin

2023

PLoS ONE

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“…49 Prevalence of illness estimates in Asian community populations range from 0.87 to 2.3%. 47 In Brazil, prevalence is still unknown due to the lack of empirical research on the phenomenon, although there are already three reports in Brazilian patients. 47 Tateno et al 50 demonstrated the strong relationship between HS and DD when verifying that individuals with high risk scores on the Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ-25) spent more time using the internet and had higher scores on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and on the Smartphone Addiction Scale -Short Version (SAS-SV).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…47 In Brazil, prevalence is still unknown due to the lack of empirical research on the phenomenon, although there are already three reports in Brazilian patients. 47 Tateno et al 50 demonstrated the strong relationship between HS and DD when verifying that individuals with high risk scores on the Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ-25) spent more time using the internet and had higher scores on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and on the Smartphone Addiction Scale -Short Version (SAS-SV). He further noted that as social media apps are becoming more popular, users are more connected to the internet and the time spent with people in the real world continues to decrease.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of an original Behavioral Changes Scale on the Use of Digital Technologies During Social Distancing

Pádua¹,

King²,

Gonçalves³

et al. 2022

Trends Psychiatry Psychother

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Introduction:The social distancing (SD) adopted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has transformed the internet from a convenience into a necessity. The behavioral changes caused by isolation range from adaptation of consumption, work, and teaching routines to altered leisure options to occupy idle time at home. Such transformations can be positive, expanding use of digital technologies (DT), but they can also have serious future physical and emotional consequences if there conscious use of technological devices is lacking. Objectives: The study aimed to validate the Behavioral Changes Scale on the Use of Digital Technologies During Social Distancing (BCSDTSD), an instrument for assessing behavioral changes related to use of DT during SD. Method: Validation of the BCSDTSD in five phases: 1. construction of an initial scale with 10 questions; 2. evaluation of the questions by a panel of experts; 3. application to 1,012 volunteers via the internet; 4. statistical analysis of the results; and 5. preparation of the validated final version of the BCSDTSD. Data were analyzed using the dplyr, psy, and paran packages and the REdaS statistical program. Three statistical criteria were used in the factor analysis (FA). Results: FA confirmed that all 10 questions in the questionnaire should be maintained, confirming its robust construction, and Cronbach's alpha demonstrated its internal consistency with a value of 0.725, which is satisfactory for first-application questionnaires. Conclusion:The BCSDTSD instrument was validated for assessment of behavioral changes related to the use of DT during SD.

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“…Antisocial personality disorders, which have probably increased since the outbreak of the pandemic, were also not addressed. In a recent publication on the impact of COVID-19 on the incidence of antisocial personality disorder, it was hypothesised that “Hikikomori”, a state of prolonged and severe social withdrawal lasting at least 6 months, could be considered as a growing and silent epidemic after the COVID-19 pandemic ( Roza et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Letter To the Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychiatric abnormalities in COVID-19 patients should prompt work-up for neuro-COVID

Finsterer¹

2023

Asian Journal of Psychiatry

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Hikikomori and the COVID-19 pandemic: not leaving behind the socially withdrawn

Cited by 10 publications

References 21 publications

The impact of higher levels of autistic traits on risk of hikikomori (pathological social withdrawal) in young adults

The impact of higher levels of autistic traits on risk of hikikomori (pathological social withdrawal) in young adults

Validation of an original Behavioral Changes Scale on the Use of Digital Technologies During Social Distancing

Psychiatric abnormalities in COVID-19 patients should prompt work-up for neuro-COVID

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