Supporting Hikikomori through Experienced Perspectives

Using the Concept of "Tojisya"

Abstract

  This study aims, first, to reveal how sufferer-centric supports attempt to deal with the dichotomous relationship between the “supporter” and the “supported” that tends to arise when providing care for hikikomori（persons suffering from acute social withdrawal）. Second, it aims to shed light on how actual sufferer-centric support activities, particularly hikikomori self-help groups, are being run. To achieve the first objective, the study contrasted two types of support that have been offered to hikikomori: the first, sufferer-centric support, offers hikikomori a new way of life; the second, specialist-centric support, attempts to help sufferers resume their old ways of life. The study also considered whether relationships in sufferer-centric support groups ran the risk of regressing into dichotomous relationships. With regard to the second objective, it became apparent while observing sufferers’ voices and body language as they told their stories that sufferer-centric supports challenge commonly held images of hikikomori and related assumptions regarding social interactions by showing, for example, how hikikomori can affect even those who have worked or been married. The study also revealed that participants in hikikomori self-help groups change the roles they play, depending on the situational setting, and that self-help groups make step-by-step progress as a result of the feelings of cooperation they develop from sharing their stories and spending time together, and not as a result of values, as described in developmental theories.