A Comparative Study of Adolescent Social Withdrawal (Hikikomori) in Japan and France

INTRODUCTION: Previously, we conducted a statistical case-control study of adolescent Hikikomori patients in Japan using the Parental Assessment of Psychological, Behavioral and Environment Scales. That study did not reveal any pathologies specific to Hikikomori patients. On the other hand, environmental factors such as “lack of communication between parents” and “overuse of the Internet” were shown to be significant predictors of Hikikomori severity. OBJECTIVES: In this study, using the same methodology as our previous study in Japan, we conducted a case-control study in France. The following questions were examined : (1) whether the pathology of Hikikomori patients in Japan and France is the same, and (2) whether the environmental factors associated with the severity of Hikikomori are the same in Japan and France. METHODS: Using CBCL and our original scales, we descriptive-statistically compared clinical and subclinical psycho-behavioral characteristics of adolescent Hikikomori patients and a control group. In addition, environmental factors that make Hikikomori more severe were clarified by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that there was no difference in the pathology of Hikikomori between Japan and France. On the other hand, the statistical predictors of Hikikomori severity were “lack of communication between parents and children” and “Lack of communication with the community,” which differed from those in Japan. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is safe to assume that Japanese and French Hikikomori’s pathology is generally the same, different strategies may be needed to prevent the onset of Hikikomori and to stop it from becoming severe. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.