Withdrawal experience and possible way-outs from withdrawal behavior in young people

Abstract

The term NEET (not in employment, education, or training) has been increasingly applied to young people in Europe not engaged in the three systems mentioned. Young people who seclude themselves at home and progress to social withdrawal can be considered a NEET subgroup—the “disengaged.” This phenomenon was first identified in Japan, where such reclusive individuals are referred to as hikikomori, but youth social withdrawal has also been reported in other countries, including South Korea and Hong Kong. Research on youth social withdrawal has mainly focused on describing and identifying contributing factors to this withdrawal behavior. Very few studies have examined the transitional processes from the initial self-seclusion to later help-seeking. Examining the mechanisms behind the engagement process for helping professionals is important to guide social work services for this unique group of young people. We conducted a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 30 socially withdrawn young people in Hong Kong. Thematic analysis conceptualized their social withdrawal processes into three subthemes: private status, de-friending spiral, and suspension of experiences. Three reasons for changing their withdrawal behavior were also identified: rebalancing one’s ideal self with reality, reconnecting with tuned-in people, and regaining momentum in life. This study provides practical implications for social workers to develop approaches to engage withdrawn young people.