{"title":"Hikikomori and Peer-Supported Virtual Hangouts: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Web-Based Peer Support in a Japanese Sample.","authors":"Akiko Funakoshi, Roseline Yong, Eri Sekiguchi","doi":"10.1177/00207640261446111","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hikikomori, a globally emerging psychiatric syndrome, is characterised by near-complete withdrawal from social interaction. While various interventions exist, research on the effectiveness of peer support for psychological recovery remains limited. Furthermore, many individuals with hikikomori struggle to access or regularly attend traditional face-to-face support because of fears of going out or social anxiety, creating a critical gap in support provision that digital solutions are uniquely positioned to address.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study clarified the experiences of individuals with hikikomori who received web-based peer support in virtual hangouts, focussing on their satisfaction with the service and the influencing factors.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A web-based, self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted from October 2020 to September 2021 in Japan. The sample comprised 80 people with hikikomori. Participants reported sociodemographic and hikikomori-related information, psychological distress (Kessler 6, K6), reasons for hangout participation, service satisfaction level (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire with eight items-Japanese version, CSQ-8J), and hangout participation frequency. CSQ-8J scores were used to group participants as highly or less satisfied. Data were analysed using t-tests and chi-squared tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants in the highly satisfied group were significantly younger and reported an earlier onset of hikikomori or school non-attendance. The most common reason for hangout participation in the highly satisfied group was 'referral from a support organisation or self-help group'. Participants in the less satisfied group tended to have higher mean K6 scores, but no statistically significant difference was found.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings suggest that virtual hangouts are effective in supporting people with hikikomori, particularly the youth, with high levels of satisfaction reported. This study highlights the significant potential of web-based peer support in overcoming traditional barriers, offering a more accessible and inclusive model for supporting individuals experiencing social withdrawal. To further increase efficacy, virtual hangouts could be combined with individual counselling and visiting support.</p>","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"1689-1699"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7000,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640261446111","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/5/15 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Hikikomori, a globally emerging psychiatric syndrome, is characterised by near-complete withdrawal from social interaction. While various interventions exist, research on the effectiveness of peer support for psychological recovery remains limited. Furthermore, many individuals with hikikomori struggle to access or regularly attend traditional face-to-face support because of fears of going out or social anxiety, creating a critical gap in support provision that digital solutions are uniquely positioned to address.
Aims: This study clarified the experiences of individuals with hikikomori who received web-based peer support in virtual hangouts, focussing on their satisfaction with the service and the influencing factors.
Method: A web-based, self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted from October 2020 to September 2021 in Japan. The sample comprised 80 people with hikikomori. Participants reported sociodemographic and hikikomori-related information, psychological distress (Kessler 6, K6), reasons for hangout participation, service satisfaction level (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire with eight items-Japanese version, CSQ-8J), and hangout participation frequency. CSQ-8J scores were used to group participants as highly or less satisfied. Data were analysed using t-tests and chi-squared tests.
Results: Participants in the highly satisfied group were significantly younger and reported an earlier onset of hikikomori or school non-attendance. The most common reason for hangout participation in the highly satisfied group was 'referral from a support organisation or self-help group'. Participants in the less satisfied group tended to have higher mean K6 scores, but no statistically significant difference was found.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that virtual hangouts are effective in supporting people with hikikomori, particularly the youth, with high levels of satisfaction reported. This study highlights the significant potential of web-based peer support in overcoming traditional barriers, offering a more accessible and inclusive model for supporting individuals experiencing social withdrawal. To further increase efficacy, virtual hangouts could be combined with individual counselling and visiting support.
期刊介绍：
The International Journal of Social Psychiatry, established in 1954, is a leading publication dedicated to the field of social psychiatry. It serves as a platform for the exchange of research findings and discussions on the influence of social, environmental, and cultural factors on mental health and well-being. The journal is particularly relevant to psychiatrists and multidisciplinary professionals globally who are interested in understanding the broader context of psychiatric disorders and their impact on individuals and communities.
Social psychiatry, as a discipline, focuses on the origins and outcomes of mental health issues within a social framework, recognizing the interplay between societal structures and individual mental health. The journal draws connections with related fields such as social anthropology, cultural psychiatry, and sociology, and is influenced by the latest developments in these areas.
The journal also places a special emphasis on fast-track publication for brief communications, ensuring that timely and significant research can be disseminated quickly. Additionally, it strives to reflect its international readership by publishing state-of-the-art reviews from various regions around the world, showcasing the diverse practices and perspectives within the psychiatric disciplines. This approach not only contributes to the scientific understanding of social psychiatry but also supports the global exchange of knowledge and best practices in mental health care.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
