The effect of hikikomori on quality of life

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of hikikomori, a Japanese term denoting "prolonged social withdrawal", on quality of life (QOL). Individuals with hikikomori at present (n = 26) and in the past (n = 31), as well as mildly depressed individuals without hikikomori (n = 114) and highly depressed individuals without hikikomori (n = 27) were requested to complete the WHO Quality of Life 26 (QOL26). The results of MANOVA indicated that the present hikikomori group's scores on the social relationships domains of the QOL26 were significantly lower than the scores of the highly depressed group. The results of this study suggest that it might be important to intervene to improve QOL in individuals with hikikomori.