Psychological Factors Related to Social Exclusion of Hikikomori (Prolonged Social Withdrawal) Individuals by Local Residents

The analysis indicates that the tendency to reject relationships with people who have different sense of values and the opinion that hikikomori is a family issue are the risk factors for social exclusion of hikikomori individuals. Contrarily, the opinion that even if we make a mistake or fail, we can make a fresh start, awareness of the similarities between oneself and hikikomori individuals, and willingness to share enjoyable activities with them are shown to be the protective factors which could reduce social exclusion of hikikomori.