Potential changes to the hikikimori phenomenon in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic

Wong, Ping Wah

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102288

Cited by 19 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Although self-stigma has been suggested to increase COVID-19-related anxiety, those with basically higher anxiety to COVID-19 were higher isolation, and conversely, those with higher self-stigma were lower isolation. More generalized anxiety such as anxiety for COVID-19 may promote retreat from interpersonal relationships (Kato et al, 2020b;Rooksby et al, 2020;Wong, 2020). On the other hand, self-stigma measured in this study assumed to be related to awareness to others, such as concern about infecting others or being a nuisance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Risk factors of hikikomori among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective online survey

et al. 2022

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The global pandemic of COVID-19 has forced people to restrict their outings. In Japan, self-restraint behavior (SRB) has been requested by the government, and some of those decreasing their outings may shift to pathological social withdrawal; hikikomori. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk factors of hikikomori conducting an online prospective survey. An online survey was conducted in June 2020 and December 2020; (1) SRB-related indicators (degree of SRB, motivation for SRB, stigma and self-stigma toward COVID-19, anxiety and depressive feelings toward COVID-19) and (2) general mental health (hikikomori tendency, depressive symptoms, modern type depression (MTD) tendency, internet addiction) were collected. A cross-lagged effects model was performed to examine the association between these variables. Lack of emotional support and lack of socialization in June 2020 increased isolation in December 2020. Besides, MTD and hikikomori interacted with each other. Interestingly, although hikikomori tendency increased depressive tendencies, SRB itself did not have a significant path on any mental health-related variables. Poor interpersonal relationships, rather than SRB per se, are suggested to be a risk factor for increased isolation among office workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. Appropriate early interventions such as interpersonal or emotional support may prevent the transition to pathological hikikomori. The association between MTD and hikikomori seems to reveal the interesting possibility that MTD is a gateway to increased risk of hikikomori, and that hikikomori is a gateway to MTD as well. Future research is required to elucidate the relationship between hikikomori and MTD.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Risk factors of hikikomori among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective online survey

et al. 2022

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“…Quarantine, social distancing, and suspension from school for the purpose of public health can act as great stressors on individuals. 63 In addition, social isolation from COVID-19 raises the risk of depression, anxiety, and Hikikomori, which are closely related to internet addiction. 64,65 Increased smartphone and internet usage due to COVID-19 increases the risk of smartphone internet addiction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Based Music Therapy in Korean Adolescents with Smartphone and Internet Addiction

Bong

Won

Choi

2021

Psychiatry Investig

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Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding music therapy (MT) to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on symptoms of smartphone/internet addiction and psychiatric comorbidities.Methods Overall, 155 patients diagnosed with addiction were assigned to either the CBT-MT group or CBT group. Both groups received CBT for 8 weeks, while the CBT-MT group received additional MT. The intervention was completed by 67 and 71 participants in the CBT-MT and CBT groups, respectively.Results The total scores of Young Internet Addiction Scale (YIAT) and Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale (SAPS) decreased significantly (p<0.001 for both) in both groups, while the total scores of State Anxiety Inventory for Children (SAIC) (p<0.001), Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (TAIC) (p<0.001), Conners-Wells’ Adolescent Self-Report Scale-Short form (CASS(S)) (p=0.048), and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) (p<0.001) decreased only in the CBT-MT group. The decrements in YIAT (p=0.025), SAIC (p=0.043), TAIC (p=0.011), and BIS-11 (p=0.012) in the CBT-MT group were significantly greater than those in the CBT group.Conclusion Combined MT and CBT improved the symptoms of smartphone/internet addiction, anxiety, and impulsivity in adolescents. This combination could therefore be an effective treatment of smartphone or internet addiction along with behavioral disorders such as anxiety and impulsivity.

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“…For instance, researchers and practitioners could develop attachment-oriented interventions aiming to increase the quality of peer relationships, which could be proposed in cases of problematic families or caregivers who are difficult to engage. In this regard, the current pandemic period—characterized by a restriction of school-based and outdoor peer activities—poses a challenge to researchers and professionals to rethink these activities even in an internet-delivered version, to ensure the possibility of prevention even in the riskiest cases of forced closure from external demands, and not only due to adolescent symptoms [ 70 , 71 ].…”

Section: Conclusion Limitations and Future Lines Of Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Power! Secure Peer Attachment Mediates the Effect of Parental Attachment on Depressive Withdrawal of Teenagers

Muzi

Rogier

Pace

2022

IJERPH

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Adolescents’ depressive social withdrawal is a relevant concern for mental health professionals, and it is widespread among community teenagers in form of subclinical symptoms. Different studies suggest that insecure attachment representations increase the adolescents’ likelihood to show symptoms of withdrawal (e.g., loneliness). This study explored the effect of the general attachment internal working model (IWM) and the independent and cumulative effects of the specific attachment representations of parents—in terms of secure base/safe haven—and peers on adolescents’ withdrawal. Additionally, the mediation of peer attachment on the effect of parental attachment on symptoms was explored. All analyses were conducted controlling for the difference between teenagers living with parents together or divorced/separated, as children of divorcees are considered more exposed to stressors. Ninety-one adolescents aged 12–17 years old were assessed online during the COVID pandemic period, employing the Youth Self-Report to assess withdrawal and the Friends and Family Interview to assess attachment-general IWM and attachment-specific representations. Results show no influence of parents together/separated or of the general IWM on withdrawal, but higher parent secure base/safe haven and peer attachment cumulatively predicted 10–21% less withdrawal. Moreover, more positive peer attachment mediated 61% of the effect of the parental secure attachment on withdrawal, revealing an indirect effect of parental attachment on withdrawal through peer attachment. In conclusion, both parents and peers are influential on adolescent mental health, and fostering positive peer relationships can buffer the effect of dysfunctional family relationships on teenagers’ withdrawal.

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Potential changes to the hikikimori phenomenon in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic

Cited by 19 publications

References 10 publications

Risk factors of hikikomori among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective online survey

Risk factors of hikikomori among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective online survey

Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Based Music Therapy in Korean Adolescents with Smartphone and Internet Addiction

Peer Power! Secure Peer Attachment Mediates the Effect of Parental Attachment on Depressive Withdrawal of Teenagers

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