Social withdrawal among university students in the UK: the emerging hikikomori phenomena.

BACKGROUND

Hikikomori, first recognised and defined in Japan as a culture-bound syndrome of prolonged social withdrawal, is increasingly reported worldwide. There is now a broad consensus that hikikomori is not confined to Japan. Its relevance to the UK context is raised by the presence of approximately one million young adults not in education, employment or training (NEET).

AIMS: To examine the occurrence of hikikomori and hikikomori-like behaviours among UK university students and to explore the association between mental health difficulties, neurodevelopmental traits and gaming disorder in its development.

METHOD: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted, with a final sample of 105 students completing validated measures of social withdrawal, psychological distress, functional impairment and associated psychiatric traits.

RESULTS

One in five students (21.0%) reported some form of hikikomori behaviour; 14.3% met criteria for pathological hikikomori, although no cases of severe hikikomori (home confinement >6 months) were identified. Hikikomori tendencies correlated strongly with psychological distress (r = 0.73, p < 0.001), autism-related traits (r = 0.72 p < 0.001) and internet gaming disorder (r = 0.70, p < 0.001). Moderate positive associations were found with depression and anxiety, while weaker negative associations emerged with psychotic-like experiences, agreeableness and conscientiousness. Gaming disorder, underlying mental health difficulties and autistic traits emerged as strong predictors of hikikomori behaviours.

CONCLUSIONS

Hikikomori-like behaviour may be more prevalent in the UK student population than previously recognised. The findings underline the importance of screening for social withdrawal in young adults, with particular attention to gaming behaviours, mental health problems and autistic traits. Furthermore, identifying and addressing pre-hikikomori cases (social withdrawal lasting less than three months) may be crucial for early intervention and prevention.