Does the 'hikikomori' syndrome of social withdrawal exist outside Japan? A preliminary international investigation.
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol
; 47(7): 1061-75, 2012 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21706238
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To explore whether the 'hikikomori' syndrome (social withdrawal) described in Japan exists in other countries, and if so, how patients with the syndrome are diagnosed and treated.METHODS:
Two hikikomori case vignettes were sent to psychiatrists in Australia, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA. Participants rated the syndrome's prevalence in their country, etiology, diagnosis, suicide risk, and treatment.RESULTS:
Out of 247 responses to the questionnaire (123 from Japan and 124 from other countries), 239 were enrolled in the analysis. Respondents' felt the hikikomori syndrome is seen in all countries examined and especially in urban areas. Biopsychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors were all listed as probable causes of hikikomori, and differences among countries were not significant. Japanese psychiatrists suggested treatment in outpatient wards and some did not think that psychiatric treatment is necessary. Psychiatrists in other countries opted for more active treatment such as hospitalization.CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with the hikikomori syndrome are perceived as occurring across a variety of cultures by psychiatrists in multiple countries. Our results provide a rational basis for study of the existence and epidemiology of hikikomori in clinical or community populations in international settings.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Isolamento Social
/
Internacionalidade
/
Transtornos Mentais
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol
Assunto da revista:
CIENCIAS SOCIAIS
/
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
/
PSIQUIATRIA
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Japão