Hikikomori and modern-type depression in Italy: A new phenotypical trans-cultural characterization?

Abstract

Introduction: Hikikomori is a Japanese term etymologically derived from ‘ hiku’ (i.e. ‘ to pull back’) and ‘ komoru’ (i.e. ‘ seclude oneself’), which identifies those subjects who deliberately withdraw themselves by social life, remaining confined into their own home/room. The phenomenon is widely diffused in Japan, even though it is currently spread outside the Japanese culture. However, a universally shared and cross-cultural adaptation of Hikikomori definition, phenomenological and psychopathological characterization is still missing. Methodology: An expert-guided opinion paper was here provided to clinical characterize the Hikikomori-like social withdrawal in the Italian context, by considering the transformation from a family-based society to a ‘fluid’ digital-structured culture, also discussing the concept of modern-type depression. This was provided deepening the principal current studies available in literature and giving an interpretation based on clinical experience in the Italian society. The work was supervised through a consensus by the most international expert of Japanese Hikikomori syndrome. Results: Current individual, family and social trajectories may potentially act as a mediator in favouring the occurrence of Hikikomori-like social withdrawal also in western countries, including Italy. Despite the differences between Japanese and Italian society and culture, the recent shaping of family structure and intra-familial dynamics, typical of the current post-modern society, may potentially influence the emergence of psychopathologies not typical of Italian culture. Unemployment and ‘Not in Employment Education or Training’ (NEET) conditions may represent another potential risk factor for economical/social marginalization of youngsters, together with the recent dramatic emergence of web-based psychopathologies. Conclusion: A diagnostic culturally-adapted flow-chart is proposed for clinical characterizing Hikikomori in Italian context, which may help in proposing preventive strategies, ensuring early identification and prompt therapeutic interventions, particularly among youngsters.

Secondary school teachers' beliefs and needs about hikikomori and social withdrawn students

“…Hikikomori cases have been studied in Europe, and specifically in Croatia (Silić et al ., 2019), Finland (Haasio and Naka, 2019), France (Benarous et al ., 2022; Furuhashi et al ., 2012; Hamasaki et al ., 2022), Italy (Amendola et al ., 2021; Esposito et al ., 2023; Orsolini et al ., 2022a, b; Ranieri, 2015), Poland (Adamski, 2018), Russia (Borisova and Molonova, 2017; Voiskunskii and Soldatova, 2019), Portugal (Macedo et al ., 2017), Spain (García-Campayo et al ., 2007; Malagón-Amor et al ., 2015) and Ukraine (Frankova, 2017, 2019). Although life habits and society in European countries are different than in Japan (Adamski, 2018; Hamasaki et al ., 2022), people who decide to retire from social life seem to fear the real world, preferring to seek refuge in virtual contexts, where they can have a control over the social and emotional exchanges.…”

Hikikomori‐like social withdrawal: An Italian case report

“…1 It is a culture/Japan-bound syndrome, recently described also in Italy. [2][3][4][5][6] Early assessment, diagnosis and intervention are often missing in Western countries, due to the lack of knowledge and expertise. 1 Hereby, we describe the clinical history of a young Italian inpatient with a delayed Hikikomori diagnosis.…”

One month version of Hikikomori Questionnaire‐25 (HQ‐25M): Development and initial validation.

“…Further testing and validation of the HQ-25M should be conducted including females and more severe cases with hikikomori in clinical settings not only in Japan but also other countries where hikikomori cases were reported. 1,9,10…”