Psychological and Psychiatric Prospective Study on the New Type of Depression and Hikikomori

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H01773
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 10030:Clinical psychology-related
• Research Institution: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: SAKAMOTO Shinji 日本大学, 文理学部, 教授 (20316912)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 加藤 隆弘 九州大学, 医学研究院, 准教授 (70546465)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 心理学 / 精神医学 / 抑うつ / ひきこもり / バイオマーカー / 会社員 / 適応 / 新型うつ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

(1) Regarding Interpersonal Sensitivity (IS) and Privileged Self (PS), which are predisposing factors for the new type of depression ("Shin-gata Utsu") and hikikomori, we found that high PS in the first two years of employment is predicted by IS in the first year of employment. (2) The results of interviews with employees with high IS and PS but good adjustment suggested that in order to improve adjustment, company policies should be in place and friendly support from supervisors and senior employees is important. (3) In order to detect hikikomori at an early stage, we developed a questionnaire with a one-month evaluation period for the condition, and confirmed its reliability and validity. (4) Bilirubin, arginine, ornithine, and acylcarnitine were suggested as promising biomarkers for separating hikikomori and healthy subjects.

Free Research Field

心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

特に若者は他者からの評価を気にしやすい反面、個人主義的な価値観の浸透により、自己を優先させる傾向は以前より高まっていると思われる。つまり、現代の若者は、ISやPSが高くなりがちで、周囲の対応によっては新タイプ抑うつやひきこもりとして外に現れるだろう。本研究により、ISやPSが高い人への適切な処遇がわかれば、不適応予防に示唆を与えることができ、新タイプ抑うつやひきこもりの予防にもつながると期待される。また、ひきこもりの早期発見のための質問票の開発やバイオマーカーの発見により、精神科臨床における早期治療に活かすことが期待される。