The relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and social withdrawal tendencies among emerging adults—An exploratory study of Hikikomori in Singapore
IntroductionOnce a localized Japanese phenomenon, Hikikomori-type social withdrawal has since been observed globally in increasing numbers. However, there is a lack of research about Hikikomori in Singapore. Consequently, local variations of Hikikomori may differ from past research in Japan. Drawing...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-12-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1065304/full |
| _version_ | 1797980767435882496 |
|---|---|
| author | Patrick K. F. Lin Andrew Alethea H. Q. Koh Kongmeng Liew |
| author_facet | Patrick K. F. Lin Andrew Alethea H. Q. Koh Kongmeng Liew |
| author_sort | Patrick K. F. Lin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionOnce a localized Japanese phenomenon, Hikikomori-type social withdrawal has since been observed globally in increasing numbers. However, there is a lack of research about Hikikomori in Singapore. Consequently, local variations of Hikikomori may differ from past research in Japan. Drawing on associations found in international and Japanese Hikikomori research, we explored some variables relevant and generalizable to the Singaporean context. Specifically, we examined the relationships between (1) Hikikomori risk factors, (2) social withdrawal tendencies, (3) depression and anxiety, (4) connections with family and friends, and (5) employment status.MethodsIn a cross-sectional survey study (N = 416; Mage = 24.90, SDage = 4.79; females = 236, males = 177, undisclosed = 3), participants were provided a Qualtrics link and asked to complete a questionnaire comprising the NHR scale, LSNS-6, DASS-21, ERQ, and HQ-25.ResultsWe found that (a) Hikikomori risk factors positively correlated with social withdrawal tendencies and depression and anxiety but negatively correlated with support from family and friends, (b) high Hikikomori risk factors predicted high social withdrawal tendencies, (c) support from friends (one of the psychosocial factors) predicted social withdrawal tendencies together with the Hikikomori risk factors, and (d) social withdrawal tendencies moderated the relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and depression among the emerging adults in Singapore.ConclusionThe current research findings serve as a basis for future Hikikomori research in Singapore. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:58:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bbb11be12475438fa0da14b8a8c826f8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:58:59Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-bbb11be12475438fa0da14b8a8c826f82022-12-22T04:41:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402022-12-011310.3389/fpsyt.2022.10653041065304The relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and social withdrawal tendencies among emerging adults—An exploratory study of Hikikomori in SingaporePatrick K. F. Lin0 Andrew1Alethea H. Q. Koh2Kongmeng Liew3School of Social and Health Sciences, James Cook University, Singapore, SingaporeSchool of Social and Health Sciences, James Cook University, Singapore, SingaporeInstitute for the Future of Human Society, Kyoto University, Kyoto, JapanGraduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, JapanIntroductionOnce a localized Japanese phenomenon, Hikikomori-type social withdrawal has since been observed globally in increasing numbers. However, there is a lack of research about Hikikomori in Singapore. Consequently, local variations of Hikikomori may differ from past research in Japan. Drawing on associations found in international and Japanese Hikikomori research, we explored some variables relevant and generalizable to the Singaporean context. Specifically, we examined the relationships between (1) Hikikomori risk factors, (2) social withdrawal tendencies, (3) depression and anxiety, (4) connections with family and friends, and (5) employment status.MethodsIn a cross-sectional survey study (N = 416; Mage = 24.90, SDage = 4.79; females = 236, males = 177, undisclosed = 3), participants were provided a Qualtrics link and asked to complete a questionnaire comprising the NHR scale, LSNS-6, DASS-21, ERQ, and HQ-25.ResultsWe found that (a) Hikikomori risk factors positively correlated with social withdrawal tendencies and depression and anxiety but negatively correlated with support from family and friends, (b) high Hikikomori risk factors predicted high social withdrawal tendencies, (c) support from friends (one of the psychosocial factors) predicted social withdrawal tendencies together with the Hikikomori risk factors, and (d) social withdrawal tendencies moderated the relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and depression among the emerging adults in Singapore.ConclusionThe current research findings serve as a basis for future Hikikomori research in Singapore.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1065304/fullHikikomorisocial withdrawal tendenciessupport from friendsDASS-21emerging adults |
| spellingShingle | Patrick K. F. Lin Andrew Alethea H. Q. Koh Kongmeng Liew The relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and social withdrawal tendencies among emerging adults—An exploratory study of Hikikomori in Singapore Frontiers in Psychiatry Hikikomori social withdrawal tendencies support from friends DASS-21 emerging adults |
| title | The relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and social withdrawal tendencies among emerging adults—An exploratory study of Hikikomori in Singapore |
| title_full | The relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and social withdrawal tendencies among emerging adults—An exploratory study of Hikikomori in Singapore |
| title_fullStr | The relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and social withdrawal tendencies among emerging adults—An exploratory study of Hikikomori in Singapore |
| title_full_unstemmed | The relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and social withdrawal tendencies among emerging adults—An exploratory study of Hikikomori in Singapore |
| title_short | The relationship between Hikikomori risk factors and social withdrawal tendencies among emerging adults—An exploratory study of Hikikomori in Singapore |
| title_sort | relationship between hikikomori risk factors and social withdrawal tendencies among emerging adults an exploratory study of hikikomori in singapore |
| topic | Hikikomori social withdrawal tendencies support from friends DASS-21 emerging adults |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1065304/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT patrickkflin therelationshipbetweenhikikomoririskfactorsandsocialwithdrawaltendenciesamongemergingadultsanexploratorystudyofhikikomoriinsingapore AT andrew therelationshipbetweenhikikomoririskfactorsandsocialwithdrawaltendenciesamongemergingadultsanexploratorystudyofhikikomoriinsingapore AT aletheahqkoh therelationshipbetweenhikikomoririskfactorsandsocialwithdrawaltendenciesamongemergingadultsanexploratorystudyofhikikomoriinsingapore AT kongmengliew therelationshipbetweenhikikomoririskfactorsandsocialwithdrawaltendenciesamongemergingadultsanexploratorystudyofhikikomoriinsingapore AT patrickkflin relationshipbetweenhikikomoririskfactorsandsocialwithdrawaltendenciesamongemergingadultsanexploratorystudyofhikikomoriinsingapore AT andrew relationshipbetweenhikikomoririskfactorsandsocialwithdrawaltendenciesamongemergingadultsanexploratorystudyofhikikomoriinsingapore AT aletheahqkoh relationshipbetweenhikikomoririskfactorsandsocialwithdrawaltendenciesamongemergingadultsanexploratorystudyofhikikomoriinsingapore AT kongmengliew relationshipbetweenhikikomoririskfactorsandsocialwithdrawaltendenciesamongemergingadultsanexploratorystudyofhikikomoriinsingapore |