A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on the Reclusive Loners of Single-Person Households in Their 30s

This study focused on the living world of recluses loners in their 30s and tried to understand how they meant the world they experienced. To this end, four study participants were selected, and the data collected through in-depth interviews were analyzed using the hermeneutic phenomenological four-step research method proposed by van Manen(1990). In the process of analysis, it was confirmed that five essential themes and 14 revealed themes were closely connected structurally. Among the five essential themes, ‘Trying to endure pressure’ and ‘Running to live’ were the themes derived from the process of the participant’s consciousness toward the room from the outside world to home and again. On the other hand, ‘Finding an exit for escape’, ‘strengthening the capacity to return’, and ‘wandering in the maze’ were essential themes revealed in the process of their consciousness working from room to home and back to the world. Among the topics revealed, the theme that triggered the change of direction of consciousness was ‘not much time left’. This consciousness of time reflected the anxiety and concern of a reclusive loner in a household in his 30s as an existence and acted as a link between the first two essential themes and the next three essential themes. Based on these findings, the conclusion presented a discussion on the policy and practical level for reclusive loners in single-youth households.