Sensitivity and Attachment in an Italian Sample of Hikikomori Adolescents and Young Adults

Alessandra Santona, Francesca Lionetti, Giacomo Tognasso, Chiara Fusco, Graziana Maccagnano, Danila Barreca and Laura Gorla ()
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Alessandra Santona: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
Francesca Lionetti: Department of Neurosciences, Imagine and Clinical Sciences, University of G. D’Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Giacomo Tognasso: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
Chiara Fusco: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
Graziana Maccagnano: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
Danila Barreca: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
Laura Gorla: Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: Hikikomori is a severe form of social withdrawal increasing among the young Italian population. Hikikomori has been connected to psychological problems and high environmental sensitivity. Nevertheless, only a few studies have been carried out in the Italian context, and they did not analyze several aspects strictly related to the hikikomori phenomenon, such as the role of attachment and sensitivity. We aimed to investigate the relationship between attachment, sensitivity, and psychological problems in a sample of Italian hikikomori. Our sample comprised 72 Italian adolescents and young adults (49 males and 23 females), meanly aged 22.5 years, recruited through online forums and clinical centers for the hikikomori phenomenon. Our participants fulfilled the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R). The results showed high psychological issues (i.e., depression and anxiety), environmental sensitivity, and insecure attachment orientations. Moreover, we discovered a significant relationship between attachment dimensions, environmental sensitivity, and psychopathology. Our study sheds light on a novel research path and could help both the researchers and the clinicians who work with people suffering from social withdrawal.

Keywords: environmental sensitivity; adolescents; attachment; psychological distress; hikikomori (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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