Abstract
Relationship between the tendency for hikikomori and the sense of purpose and meaning of life in university students was investigated through a questionnaire survey with university student participants (n=373). "Oversensitiveness," "isolation" as well as "self-denial" have already been indicated as subcategories of the hikikomori tendency. "Isolation" tendency was significantly higher for male students than female students and "oversensitiveness" tendency was significantly higher for female students than male students. Results indicated that "self-denial" had the strongest relationship with the sense of purpose and meaning. The sense of purpose and meaning of life were compared between high and low hikikomori groups. Result indicated that there were especially significant differences in the "independence," "existential sufficiency," and "view of suicide" between the two groups. Conversely, there were no differences in "future acceptance," "sense of death," or "illness and suffering." It is concluded that university students can prevent becoming hikikomori, by living on their own initiative and find the meaning and purpose of life.
