Cluster analysis of hikikomori-like idiom of distress in Oman
Journal of Public Mental Health
ISSN: 1746-5729
Article publication date: 23 January 2024
Issue publication date: 2 April 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The phenomenon of social withdrawal, known as the hikikomori-like idiom of distress (HLID), has been reported in many countries. This study aimed to explore profiles of Omanis who have HLID.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional online survey of 673 out of 1,529 Omanis identified with HLID using the Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ-25) score of 42+.
Findings
Two profile groups were determined through cluster analysis according to socio-demographic and HQ-25 outcomes. Subjects in cluster 1 (n = 168, 24.9%) are significantly younger (p < 0.001) and more educated (p = 0.019), spend more time online (p < 0.001) and are living alone (p < 0.001) than subjects in cluster 2 (n = 505, 75.1%). More subjects in cluster 1 had a past mental illness (p = 0.037) but less previous childhood physical/emotional abuse (p = 0.029) than subjects in cluster 2. In contrast, subjects in cluster 2 had a low lack of socialization (p < 0.001), less active isolation (p < 0.001) and total HQ-25 scores (p < 0.001) than cluster 1. Subjects in Cluster 1 have more serious social withdrawal issues than those in Cluster 2, especially on a lack of socialization and isolation.
Research limitations/implications
One limitation that might influence the results of this online study was that information was collected via self-report, and a cross-sectional design limits its results because it cannot assess causal inference. This study has contributed valuably to exploring different profile groups of HDLD, especially in the Arabian Gulf. The authors’ findings facilitate the development by creating innovative interventions strategically tackling different hikikomori groups.
Originality/value
While social withdrawal characterized by HLID has been reported proliferating in different parts of the world, little research has been forthcoming from Arabian Gulf countries. These findings suggest that there are two orthogonal clusters of HLID among Omanis. This study provides a foundation for further research on HLID, which has recently been reported in different parts of the world.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank all the participants who contributed to our study. Prof Gilles J. Guillemin would like to acknowledge that, since the submission of this paper, he has changed affiliation and is now employed by ICTRYM Consulting Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia.
Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this study.
Funding: No funding was received to support this study.
Citation
Chan, M.F., Al-Sibani, N., Al-Huseini, S., Al-Saadi, A., Al-Busaidi, S., Al Kharusi, J., Al Kharusi, N., Guillemin, G.J., Al-Abri, M. and Al-Adawi, S. (2024), "Cluster analysis of hikikomori-like idiom of distress in Oman", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 64-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-06-2023-0054
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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