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Research
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Research

To learn more about hikikomori, we have gathered a selection of academic papers and university research.
Explore the resources to discover the causes, context, and developments of the phenomenon.
Adolescent loneliness in European schools: school and individual factors

2023

Loneliness is a growing public health concern among adolescents. This study examines the role of schools, comparing school-related and individual factors to better understand and address the issue

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Prevalence and characteristics of severe social isolation in 29 European countries

2023

This study examines severe social isolation as a proxy for hikikomori across 29 European countries. It found low and slightly declining prevalence, with links to socioeconomic disadvantage, low trust and support, reduced happiness, and lack of future planning

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Questionnaire to assess the degree of withdrawal

2018

The study validates the 25-item Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ-25) as a reliable tool to assess severe social withdrawal

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Family Features of Social Withdrawal Syndrome (Hikikomori)

2020

The article highlights the strong influence of family dynamics on hikikomori and stresses that effective treatment must include the family

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Loneliness and mental health among adults in Ireland

2025

This paper examines loneliness in Ireland, focusing on its prevalence and related factors after the country reported the EU’s highest loneliness rate in 2022

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Hikikomori and extreme social isolation: a sociocultural mental health perspective

2022

This paper reviews international research on hikikomori, exploring its psychological, social, and cultural dimensions, diagnostic complexity, and the need for stronger evidence-based interventions

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Hikikomori and co-occurring psychiatric symptoms in young people: a scoping review

2025

The study summarized evidence of hikikomori diagnostic criteria, clinical manifestations, and comorbidity with psychiatric disorders and symptoms in adolescents and young adults.

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Social connections, family, and adolescent mental health in Transylvania

2025

This study explores gender variations in the associations between lifestyle choices, mental health, and social behaviors among adolescents inthe Transylvania region of Romania.

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Hikikomori: Indagine sul ritiro sociale volontario dei giovani italiani

2023

This report is Italy’s first nationwide quantitative study on adolescent voluntary social withdrawal, using ESPAD® Italia 2021 data to assess prevalence, related factors, and early warning signs

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Hikikomori: Indagine sul ritiro sociale volontario dei giovani italiani

2023

This report is Italy’s first nationwide quantitative study on adolescent voluntary social withdrawal, using ESPAD® Italia 2021 data to assess prevalence, related factors, and early warning signs

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Hikikomori in der Deutschschweiz: Einblicke aus Experteninterviews

2019

This empirical qualitative study examines Hikikomori in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, to determinate if the psychological condition exists, and how it appears

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Extremer sozialer Rückzug junger Menschen: Hikikomori in Deutschland?

2025

Case studies from different countries, questioning participation, health, care and planning for the future

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Hikikomori: aislamiento social juvenil, educación y tecnologías

2024

This essay examines the Hikikomori phenomenon, its spread beyond Japan, its main associated factors, and possible solutions to youth social withdrawal

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La vida en soledad: análisis sociológico del fenómeno Hikikomori

2023

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the fragility and importance of social relationships, reminding us that humans are social beings who depend on one another

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Training Materials

To learn more about hikikomori, we have gathered a selection of training materials. Explore the resources to better understand the causes, context, and developments of the phenomenon.

How to approach a hikikomori: good practices and behaviours to avoid

2021

In this post I will try to summarize the behaviours that have proven to be effective in achieving positive results with hikikomori

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Working with Young People with a Mental Health Issue

2009

A free practical guide for school staff on recognising adolescent mental health difficulties, including social withdrawal, and providing appropriate support

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Helping Adolescents Thrive Toolkit: strategies for adolescent mental health and risk prevention

2021

A free evidence-based toolkit with strategies, practical tools, and programme examples to support adolescent mental health and vulnerable young people

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La lotta all’abbandono precoce dei percorsi di istruzione e formazione in Europa

2014

This volume explores early leaving from education and training, its causes, social costs, and individual consequences

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Linee guida sul ritiro sociale: prevenzione, rilevazione precoce e interventi

2022

This document outlines social withdrawal in children and adolescents, covering early signs, internet and videogame use, legal frameworks, and coordinated actions for prevention, early detection, and intervention

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Panoramica sul fenomeno hikikomori

2025

These slides offer a theoretical overview of social withdrawal, from causes to development

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Methodenkoffer gegen Einsamkeit

2023

Empirically grounded methodological knowledge for preventing and alleviating loneliness in a social work context

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Kursthemen: Einsamkeitsbegleitung und Resilienzförderung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen

2025

Skills in self-reflection, relationship building, and interaction to strengthen resilience and counter loneliness

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Apoyo al bienestar del alumnado en entornos digitales de aprendizaje

2022

Evidence-based opportunities for innovation in learning and teaching during COVID-19 school closures and beyond

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Ghid de identificare şi adresare a nevoilor emergente

2010

A practical guide for identifying and addressing the emerging needs of children in Romania

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Projects

To learn more about hikikomori, we will present a selection of projects on the topic.
Explore them to better understand the causes, context, and developments of the phenomenon
No one stays behind

2022-2024

The NSB project addresses the pandemic’s impact on vulnerable learners, aiming to reduce disengagement and school dropout by strengthening motivation, skills, inclusion, and future opportunities

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KORALE – Combating Loneliness Across European Regions

2023-2027

KORALE supports six European regions in improving policies to reduce loneliness and social isolation through evidence-based solutions for vulnerable groups

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Jigsaw - The National Centre for Youth Mental Health

Since 2006

Jigsaw provides free, confidential mental health support for young people aged 12–25 across Ireland

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Joyful Schools

2025

The project supports teachers in renewing pedagogical methods to promote well-being for both teachers and students

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Hikikomori

2018

Hikikomori is an immersive installation exploring extreme self-isolation, mediated communication, and retreat into the virtual world

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Start with a Friend e.V.

2025

The organization promotes engagement, education, participation, and empowerment across 25 German cities

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Out of Net

2020

Out of the Net aims to prevent early school leaving through innovative pedagogical methods addressing Hikikomori-related emotional, communicative, and behavioural challenges

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Restars - Rete di Supporto Territoriale per Adolescenti in Ritiro Sociale

2024

Terre des Hommes supports socially withdrawn adolescents through Restars, using sensitive approaches such as Pet Therapy to foster connection, affection, and security

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Indagine interna dell’Associazione Genitori Hikikomori Italia

2025

This survey gathered key data on social withdrawal in Italy, including average age and associated symptoms

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Storie a fumetti sul ritiro sociale

2025

Four comic-style stories illustrating social withdrawal dynamics and family relationships

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Initiative gegen Einsamkeit

2023

We present projects and promising methods that foster community connections and raise awareness of loneliness and social isolation

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Prevención del aislamiento social desde el centro

2020

The project focuses on universal prevention within the educational community, aiming to anticipate and reduce the risk of undesirable situations before they occur

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Articles

To learn more about hikikomori, we have gathered a selection of articles on the topic.
Explore them to better understand the causes, context, and developments of the phenomenon
Young people report higher levels of loneliness than their elders do

2025

This article highlights OECD findings that young people in Ireland are especially affected by persistent loneliness and social isolation

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Social Isolation in Turkish Adolescents

2025

This study adapts the Social Isolation Questionnaire for Turkish adolescents and evaluates its psychometric properties

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Has confinement turned us into hikikomori?

2020

The article distinguishes COVID-19 lockdown isolation from hikikomori as a deeper, long-term form of social withdrawal

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Hikikomori among French youth after the pandemic

2025

Hikikomori has sharply increased among French youth since the pandemic, linked to prolonged lockdowns and extreme social isolation

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Le phénomène Hikikomori

2020

The article examines hikikomori as a global youth condition, highlighting risk factors, clinical relevance, and the need for early multidisciplinary intervention

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Emergenza Hikikomori: raddoppiati gli adolescenti che non vedono più gli amici

2025

“Lone wolves” are adolescents aged 14–19 who no longer meet friends outside school, nearly doubling from 5.6% in 2019 to 9.7% in 2022

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Interview with Marco Crepaldi

2025

An interview from Italy’s leading national newspaper, offering key points for reflection

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Japanische Hikikomori: Lieber einsam als erwachsen

2006

Research report

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Hikikomori: Warum junge Menschen monatelang zu Hause bleiben

2023

Hikikomori, once defined in Japan, is now emerging in Austria, where young people withdraw socially for extended periods and can be difficult to identify

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Adolescentes aislados: Hikikomori en España

2023

The text explores whether adolescent social withdrawal, defined by Tamaki Saito as hikikomori, is a relevant phenomenon in Spain

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El 80% del alumnado con TEA sufre bullying

2025

Mora reports that 80% of students with ASD experience bullying, mainly social isolation, mockery, and manipulation

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Hikikomori as a possible mental health consequence of COVID-19

2021

The study suggests that COVID-19 social distancing and increased online life may have raised the risk of hikikomori, especially among adolescents and young adults

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Ce este Hikikomori: fenomenul izolării sociale în rândul tinerilor din Italia

2026

The article describes the growing hikikomori phenomenon in Italy, where over 200,000 young people are estimated to live in severe social isolation

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Fenomenul Hikikomori se extinde în Europa: de ce tot mai mulți oameni se izolează luni întregi

2026

The article explores how hikikomori, once seen as a Japanese phenomenon, is now spreading across Europe and the United States

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Videos

To learn more about hikikomori, we have gathered a selection of videos on the topic.
Watch them to better understand the causes, context, and developments of the phenomenon