The worrying Japanese phenomenon of Hikikomori is emerging among our teens

There’s a term that strikes fear into Japanese parents: Hikikomori – when teenagers become so withdrawn that they don’t leave the house for months or even years. But perhaps it isn’t only a phenomenon in Japan: one in seven UK university students now show early signs of Hikikomori, according to a small survey. It could also be contributing to the growing number of British young people who are NEET – not in education, employment or training – said Dr Yoko Nagai, a neuroscientist at the University of Sussex, who led the study. The term Hikikomori was first coined by a Japanese psychiatrist in the 1990s, to describe the growing trend of teenagers and young adults who rarely leave home – or even their bedroom. Dr Nagai wondered how common Hikikomori-like traits are among British university students. Today, about a third of students live with their parents, while even those living away from home could be watching lectures online instead of going in person, she said. Of 105 students, recruited through university mailing lists and social media, 14 per cent left their home only once a week or less, while 20 per cent went out three times a week or less. “This is quite serious,” Dr Nagai said. “Early intervention with these students is very important.” None of the respondents had been so socially isolated for six months or more, which is the official definition of Hikikomori in Japan. But even if their isolation hasn’t lasted that long, they “are potentially in a pre-Hikikomori state”, said Dr Nagai. Those who went out less were more likely to have autistic traits and to do a lot of gaming, the survey also found. “These findings suggest that social withdrawal tendencies warrant further attention in student mental health initiatives,” said Dr Nagai. Professor Peter Etchells, a psychologist at Bath Spa University not involved in the study, said the survey was too small to draw conclusions about potential causes. But he said the findings may help draw attention to the problem of social withdrawal among university students – who would not be classed as NEET because they are by definition continuing their education. After university, people may not be getting jobs because they are socially withdrawn or they may be withdrawing because they cannot find a job, despite wanting to work, he said. “These things interact with each other in a vicious cycle.” Other researchers have proposed that Hikikomori and NEET status aren’t separate phenomena, but could be seen as part of a spectrum, with NEET being an an earlier or less severe stage of Hikikomori. A Government report last month found that nearly one million people aged between 16 and 24 are NEET, which is 13 per cent of this age group. The study was published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.