A CASE STUDY OF A CHINESE ‘HIKIKOMORIAN’ IN CANADA – THEORIZING THE PROCESS OF HIKIKOMORIZATION

• Main Authors: Stella Suk-ching CHONG, Kar-Mon CHAN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Special Education and Rehabilitation 2012-09-01
• Series: Journal of Special Education and Rehabilitation
• Subjects: hikikomori; social withdrawal; case study
• Online Access: http://jser.fzf.ukim.edu.mk/files/99-114%20Chong%281%29.pdf
• ISSN: 1409-6099; 1857-663X

The term ‘hikikomori’ originates from Japan and means ‘acute social withdrawal’. This study intends to investigate into the causes of hikikomori which is increasing worldwide phenomenon. The methodology is a case study approach located in an interpretive paradigm. The data was mainly collected through e-mails with the participant and phone conversations with his mother. The participant was a ‘hiki­ko­morian’ who was invited to investigate his own problem and further to be the co-author of this paper. The literature findings and this case study were then conceptualized into a more wide-ranging framework in compre­hen­ding the process of hikikomorization. The result appears to show that hikikomorization involves three processes: first, a predisposed introverted personality; second, the effects of multiple environmental factors such as family, school and society; and finally, the trigger point, such as the end of schooling or a stressful event. The study offers implications for other hiki­ko­mo­rians in better understanding of their problems and for practitioners working with reclusive ado­lescents and their families.