The impact of higher levels of autistic traits on risk of hikikomori (pathological social withdrawal) in young adults

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hikikomori is an extreme state of social withdrawal, originally identified in Japan but more recently recognised internationally. Many countries imposed restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic which may have had a detrimental impact on those at risk of hikikomori, specifically young adults and those with high levels of autistic traits.

Aims

To explore whether levels of autistic traits mediate the relationship between psychological wellbeing and hikikomori risk. We also looked at whether autistic traits mediated between lockdown experiences (e.g. not leaving the house) and hikikomori risk.

Methods

646 young people (aged 16–24) from a wide range of countries completed an online questionnaire assessing psychological wellbeing, autistic traits and experi

SUBMITTER: Brosnan M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9942989 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature