Article ID: 2025.05.011
Background The number of hikikomori individuals has been increasing not only in Japan but also worldwide while few studies have looked into the societal elements that could lead to further isolation of hikikomori individuals. This study examines the psychological factors in local residents related to social exclusion of hikikomori individuals.
Methods 365 participants living in Tottori, Japan were analyzed. The questionnaire includes key questions such as social exclusion of hikikomori individuals, daily lifestyle, personal opinions and attitudes towards hikikomori individuals.
Results Those who are unwilling to interact with people who have different sense of values were 3.6 times likely to exclude hikikomori individuals than those who did not. Those who believe that hikikomori is a family issue so that others should not intervene were 2.2 times likely to exclude them than those who did not. Conversely, those who think that people can make a fresh start in the society even after making mistakes were 0.5 times likely to exclude hikikomori than those who did not. Those who feel that they have something in common with hikikomori individuals were 0.4 times likely to exclude them than those who did not. Those who think that they can enjoy activities such as hobbies together with hikikomori individuals were 0.3 times likely to exclude them than those who did not.
Conclusion The analysis indicates that the tendency to reject relationships with people who have different sense of values and the opinion that hikikomori is a family issue are the risk factors for social exclusion of hikikomori individuals. Contrarily, the opinion that even if we make a mistake or fail, we can make a fresh start, awareness of the similarities between oneself and hikikomori individuals, and willingness to share enjoyable activities with them are shown to be the protective factors which could reduce social exclusion of hikikomori.
