Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the correlation between hikikomori (acute social withdrawal) and family function. Parents of individuals with hikikomori (HikikomoriGroup; n=107) and parents of individuals without-hikikomori (Control-Group; n=79) were requested to complete the following questionnaires: (a) Hikikomori Relationship Function Scale (HRFS), and (b) Relationship Happiness Scale (RHS; Smith & Meyers, 2004). The results of ANCOVA indicated that the Hikikomori-Group's scores on Positive Punishment and Negative Punishment in the Hikikomori Relationship Function Scale and the Relationship Happiness Scale were significantly lower than those scores for the individuals in the Control-Group. The results of the present study suggest that it might be important to intervene in relationship happiness and relationship function with individuals with hikikomori and their parents.
