This study explores the phenomenon of hikikomori, or extreme social isolation, which for the past 20 years has been associated with a range of negative outcomes, including psychological, financial, and social. As hikikomori is associated with marked social withdrawal in one's home and increased Internet use, it has been suggested that the social and technological changes brought about by COVID-19 restrictions may exacerbate the risk of hikikomori in young adults. This study, therefore, sought to identify the relationship between hikikomori risk and changes in Internet use for young people aged 16–24 years during COVID-19 restrictions. An international sample of 826 participants completed an online survey consisting of questions about demographics, experience of lockdown restrictions in the previous 12 months, changes to Internet use in the previous 12 months and a hikikomori risk scale. Higher hikikomori risk was associated with being male, greater time spent in lockdown, and leaving the house less frequently. An increase in Internet use during lockdown was associated with reduced risk of hikikomori. Findings are discussed in relation to gender differences in the type of Internet use engaged in by males and females. It is concluded that online social interaction may be a means of mitigating hikikomori risk in post-COVID-19 societies.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19 限制期间 Hikikomori 风险与互联网使用之间的关系

这项研究探讨了 hikikomori 或极端社会孤立现象，在过去的 20 年中，这种现象与一系列负面结果有关，包括心理、财务和社会。由于 hikikomori 与在家中显着的社交退缩和互联网使用增加有关，因此有人认为 COVID-19 限制带来的社会和技术变化可能会加剧年轻人患 hikikomori 的风险。因此，本研究试图确定在 COVID-19 限制期间 16-24 岁年轻人的隐居风险与互联网使用变化之间的关系。一个由 826 名参与者组成的国际样本完成了一项在线调查，其中包括关于人口统计、过去 12 个月的封锁限制经验、过去 12 个月内互联网使用的变化和 hikikomori 风险量表。较高的hikikomori风险与男性、更多的封锁时间和更少的离开家有关。封锁期间互联网使用量的增加与隐匿性感染的风险降低有关。讨论了与男性和女性在互联网使用类型中的性别差异有关的调查结果。得出的结论是，在线社交互动可能是降低 COVID-19 后社会中隐居风险的一种手段。讨论了与男性和女性在互联网使用类型中的性别差异有关的调查结果。得出的结论是，在线社交互动可能是降低 COVID-19 后社会中隐居风险的一种手段。讨论了与男性和女性在互联网使用类型中的性别差异有关的调查结果。得出的结论是，在线社交互动可能是降低 COVID-19 后社会中隐居风险的一种手段。