Evolution and trends of hikikomori: a bibliometrics analysis

Hikikomori is the Japanese term for the phenomenon of young adults isolating themselves from society and becoming reclusive. This study aims to examine the evolution and distribution of hikikomori, as well as identify the major players and institutions involved in hikikomori research. The searches, which were conducted in Scopus database identified 286 academic research works pertaining to hikikomori research. The findings indicate that hikikomori has attracted the attention of academic researchers in both the East and the West, with a consistent increase in research output since the Internet revolution over the past decade. The study highlights the potential for additional research on hikikomori and provides a benchmark for new researchers entering the field.