A Tool for the Evaluation of Hikikomori Risk in Italian Adolescents: A first Contribution to its Validation

Hikikomori, a severe form of social withdrawal, has been highlighted in Japan since the late 1990s. However, the phenomenon it is increasingly considered to be serious worldwide condition. In 2018 the Emilia Romagna Regional School Office questioned psychologists and teachers in their locality in order to provide a census of prevalence amongst the students of the region. To develop a full picture of the phenomenon, the current exploratory research aimed to obtain information on hikikomori and the variables associated with it directly from the students involved. The Hikikomori Questionnaire-11 (HQ-11) is a self-report tool that showed good psychometrics properties and resulted useful in investigating risk of social withdrawal. While Internet abuse confirmed to be a risk factor, several protection factors, as functional coping strategies were identified. Possible implications for practice are discussed.