Title: Interview survey of people with social withdrawal experiences regarding interpersonal difficulties they face during the job-hunting process
Abstract:
Introduction: In modern times, "hikikomori" is one of the serious social problems in Japan. The worsening 8050 problem, where parents in their 80s support their children in their 50s, is often rooted in the children's hikikomori. This issue has also garnered international attention under terms like Hikikomori and Social Withdrawal. Hikikomori sufferers tend to idealize and struggle with realistic thinking due to prolonged isolation in specific environments. By making support programs more realistic, these individuals can approach job hunting with a clearer, more realistic image, thereby reducing anxiety about job hunting and employment. This study aims to clarify the interpersonal difficulties hikikomori sufferers face during the job hunting process and explore how supporters can understand these difficulties to provide more effective, needs-based support.
Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five individuals aged 20 to 60 who had experienced hikikomori and engaged in job hunting. The interviews focused on their interpersonal difficulties and related episodes in the following situations: visiting a company for the first time for an interview, working, during breaks or outside working hours, and other situations. The data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis.
Results: When visiting a company for the first time for an interview, five subcategories and two categories were extracted from 17 contexts. When working, 11 subcategories and three categories were extracted from 31 contexts. During breaks or outside working hours, seven subcategories and three categories were extracted from 12 contexts. In other situations, 12 subcategories and four categories were extracted from 22 contexts.
Discussion: Interpersonal difficulties faced by hikikomori sufferers during job hunting include maladjustment to the work environment, lack of interpersonal experience, loss of confidence, and burden due to their characteristics. To support former hikikomori in the job-hunting process, it is essential to consider the following perspectives: providing gradual support and environmental adjustments to help them adapt to a new workplace, offering training to improve communication skills and interpersonal relationships, and giving counseling to help them regain self-esteem and confidence along with opportunities to experience success. Since new experiences often come with failures, it is crucial to create an environment where former hikikomori can build self-esteem and confidently approach job hunting through these supports.
