Citation

Yong R, Nomura K, Takatsuka Y, Imuta H, Taniguchi H, Ito H, Ohira T, Tstsumi A. Nippon Koshu Eisei Zasshi 2022; 69(12): 923-930.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Nippon Koshu Eisei Zasshi)

DOI

10.11236/jph.22-025

PMID

36261343

Abstract

The term "hikikomori" was recognized by society between 1980 and 2000, when the term "NEET" also appeared and it was regarded as a problem of irresponsible youth. However, accumulation of surveys and research both in Japan and abroad, including those conducted by the Cabinet Office, has revealed that the reasons behind social withdrawal are not only limited to mental illness. There are many people who exhibit withdrawal because they are unable to establish relationships with the community and other people owing to various factors such as social systems, attachment formation, family background, and education. In other words, withdrawal is better described as a "symptom" or "condition" than a disease. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and analyze the diverse backgrounds and needs of individuals with withdrawal and confront them about their state. Currently, many hikikomori people with prolonged withdrawal are now in their 40s and 50s. With their parents' aging, there are cases where people with hikikomori and their families become socially isolated and are unable to make ends meet. It is undeniable that, until now, the society we live in as a whole has little interest in or understanding of hikikomori. In contrast, withdrawal among older adults (tojikomori), which has become a problem in the super-aging society. Tojikomori is defined as "going out less than once a week and not requiring nursing care", which is not equivalent with hikikomori. Owing to the decline in the frequency of going out among the elderly in the recent coronary crisis, the number of pre-frailty in older adults has become a nationwide problem.　Thus, both hikikomori and tojikomori are reversible conditions, and can be alleviated by providing necessary support. This paper summarizes the findings of the symposium "Challenges, Prevention, and Countermeasures for Social Withdrawal (Hikikomori) by Age Group" organized by the Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention of the Japanese Society of Public Health at the 79th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Public Health. This article is a compilation of findings that can benefit public health practitioners and researchers.

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ひきこもりという言葉が社会にはじめて認知されたのは1980～90年代で，「ニート」という言葉も登場し，無責任な若者の問題とされていた。ところが，内閣府調査や国内外の調査・研究の集積によって，ひきこもりの背景は精神疾患に限定されるものではなく，社会システム，愛着形成，家庭背景，教育など様々な要因でコミュニティや人との関係がうまく構築できずひきこもりに陥る人も多くいることが明らかになった。つまり，ひきこもりとは，「症状」や「状態」を表す言葉であり，疾患ではないため，なぜ，その状態に陥っているのか，多様な背景とニーズを理解・分析し，個人に対峙することが必要である。現在，長期化するひきこもりが40～50代となり，親の高齢化に伴い，本人のみならず，家族までもが，社会的に孤立し，生活が立ち行かなくなるケースも目立ちはじめている。これまで，我々が住む社会全体が，ひきこもりに対する関心や理解が乏しかったことは否めない。一方，超高齢化社会に際し問題となっている高齢者の閉じこもりは『外出頻度が週1回未満であり，要介護状態ではないこと』と定義され，社会的引きこもりとは同義ではない。昨今のコロナ禍における高齢者全体の外出頻度の低下により，フレイル予備群の増加が全国的な問題となっている。

　このように引きこもりや閉じこもりはいずれも可逆的な状態であるため，改善に向けた支援が重要であることは共通している。本稿は，第79回日本公衆衛生学会において日本公衆衛生学会メンタルヘルス・自殺対策委員会が企画したシンポジウム「年代別ひきこもりの課題，予防，対策」に登壇したひきこもり支援を行っている活動家やひきこもりの研究者が，公衆衛生の実地活動家や研究者に向けて取りまとめた知見である。

Language: ja

Keywords

Humans; Aged; Adolescent; Parents; elderly; Mental Health; belonging; young adults; hikikomori; social withdrawal; *Mental Disorders/prevention & control; *Social Isolation; support for hikikomori carers