Hikikomori from the Perspective of Overuse, Underuse, and Optimal Use of Character Strengths: Case Reports

Abstract

Hikikomori, or social withdrawal youth has become one of the most pressing social issues in Japan and this phenomenon is increasing in other countries as well. While there is a movement to pathologize this phenomenon as a new psychological disorder, these case reports provide a fresh perspective of hikikomori using the lens of character strengths in the scientific field of positive psychology. These case reports illustrate how the hikikomori phenomenon can be understood, at least in part, using the framework of character strengths overuse, underuse, and optimal use by conducting the character strengths intervention for hikikomori youth. The authors offer examples of combinations of overuse and underuse of character strengths, with particular attention to the unique signature strengths, among hikikomori youth. Future directions of research include an empirical investigation of the relationship between the hikikomori phenomenon and the notion of overuse, underuse, and optimal use of character strengths, potentially using research methodology.