Six Core Conflictual Themes Identified in the Narratives of Hikikomori

As awareness of hikikomori has increased worldwide, the body of research has diversified, deepening our understanding of the subject. Nevertheless, qualitative studies on the subjective experiences of primary hikikomori remain limited. Within this context, this study aims to enhance understanding of the primary type of hikikomori by exploring their lived experiences through in-depth interviews. The analysis identified six interrelated conflictual themes, woven through social-existential strife. At the core of this struggle lies an intricate negotiation of self-worth and belonging amid the tension between individual vulnerability and societal expectations. An existential yearning for meaningful relatedness underscored these struggles, despite an apparent severance from the social world on the surface. The subjects appeared neither apathetic nor indifferent, but rather encapsulated in a complex web of conflicting forces, experiencing pain both when retreating from and venturing into the outside world. These experiences were deeply intersected with cultural and societal dynamics, including subtle and largely invisible pressures arising from contemporary norms of sociality. Capturing the meanings of withdrawal within the resonance of an affected person's sense of self and their view of the social world is thus crucial, given the friction inherent in contemporary pursuits of self-discovery and social connection. By linking psychological distress with structural and relational forces, this study also seeks to offer an integrative perspective on social withdrawal, yielding insights that extend beyond the Japanese context.