What is it about?
This study is looking at the presence of hikikomori (pathological social withdrawal) in Taiwan. We also investigated their natures, psychiatric comorbidity, and possible reasons for being withdrawal. The differences between the present study and previous studies in Japan, Hong Kong and China were discussed. Also, we provided a unique view about the low psychiatric comorbidity of our sample compared with the sample in other countries.
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Why is it important?
This severe condition has presented worldwide and its number has increased. Also, it has a very close relationship with mental disorders. Reports showed that it further cause family and society burden since people with this condition might not be able to work or be involved in any productive activities. Knowing its presence in the society and its nature could increase people' awareness and further think of the future prevention.
Perspectives
Taiwan has shared many similarities with Japan and Hong Kong, which have reported the hikikomori issue. However, there were no direct studies on this condition in Taiwan. This study directly investigate the presence of hikikomori in Taiwan and provide their point of view on their own condition. We can easily find that a mental condition is associated with not only the individual's conditions but also the whole social condition. This concept may also apply to other psychiatric conditions. When considering the conditions, we should have a more wholistic point of view.
Dr Alison Fang-Wei Wu
Social Research Institute, Institute of Education, University College London
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The presence, characteristics and correlates of pathological social withdrawal in Taiwan: An online survey, International Journal of Social Psychiatry, October 2019, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0020764019882724.
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