Association Between the Affinity for Hikikomori (Prolonged Social Withdrawal) and Increased Hikikomori Tendencies in University Students
These findings suggest that individuals at potential risk of developing hikikomori may be better identified by considering environmental (e.g., social support), behavioral (e.g., coping with stress), and cognitive and affective (e.g., desire for hikikomori) variables. Notably, empathy for others with hikikomori may reflect general empathic traits rather than being specifically related to hikikomori. Future longitudinal research should identify any causal relationships.
Authors
- Motohiro Sakai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7944-3001)
- Shunsuke Nonaka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9040-4436)
- Tomoya Takeda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7054-5597)
- Makoto Suda
- Hiroaki Kubo
- Yuki Tanaka
Institutions
- University of Miyazaki (JP)
- Tokyo Future University (JP)
- Musashino University (JP)
- Wayo Women's University (JP)
- University of Human Environments (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Psychiatry Investigation
- Published
- 2026-03-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2025.0220
- Primary Topic
- Youth Substance Use and School Attendance
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science