Phenomenology of Perceived Resonant Lived Experiences of International Male Shut-Ins Featured in a YouTube Video Anthology on the Global Hikikomori

This study explored non-Japanese males’ hikikomori experiences shared via a YouTube anthology, suggesting their resonance with but distinction from Japanese hikikomori experiences. Resonant experiences are deeply personal, evoking emotional connections and shaping identities through pivotal events and transformative realizations (Smith, 2018; Jones & Brown, 2020; Adams, 2019; White, 2021). Themes emerging from the Heideggerian phenomenology of childhood lived experiences of global hikikomori highlight severe challenges like bullying and social isolation, impacting emotional development and fostering mistrust. Family dynamics, including single-parent upbringing, contribute to feelings of neglect. Academic struggles and traumatic school experiences solidify negative perceptions of society. Early onset of mental health issues like depression and anxiety hinder social engagement, while coping mechanisms such as immersion in fantasy worlds provide comfort. Attempts at integration often precede withdrawal phases, underscored by traumatic events exacerbating social withdrawal. These experiences collectively shape the non-Japanese hikikomori’s withdrawal as self-protection and emotional survival. Despite cultural variances, global hikikomori share similarities with Japanese counterparts in social withdrawal, mental health issues, family dynamics, and technology’s role. However, global hikikomori complexities arise from cultural diversity, varied family dynamics, educational pressures, healthcare access, coping mechanisms, and globalization impacts. Understanding these complexities is vital for developing effective support systems across diverse cultural contexts.