Functioning, disability, and health of individuals with Hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal) and their families: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies

Abstract

Background: Currently, paradoxical findings exist regarding the level of functioning in individuals with Hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal). Aims: This systematic review aimed to clarify the functioning, disability, and health of individuals with Hikikomori and their families in comparison to those without Hikikomori. Method: Relevant studies were searched from April 22 to 25, 2022, using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and two Japanese databases. Functions were categorized into ‘body functionscitation: Nonaka S, Kubo H, Takeda T, Sakai M. Functioning, disability, and health of individuals with Hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal) and their families: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/0020764024131018