ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This research probes into the characteristics of modern type depression (MTD) in South Korea, drawing parallels to Japan’s hikikomori state. It aims to bridge cultural value gaps and highlight its significance in South Korea, given the observed reclusive youth behaviors. @*Methods@#Participants undertook a semi-structured interview assessing hikikomori tendencies and MTD. Also, self-reports were done using the 25-item Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ-25), 22-item Tarumi’s Modern-Type Depression Trait Scale: Avoidance of Social Roles, Complaint, and Low Self-Esteem (TACS-22), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Young’s Internet Addiction Test (YIAT), Smartphone Addiction ScaleShort form Version (SAS-SV), Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (RULS), Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6). Scores were analyzed by group (MTD, control) using and logistic regression was done. Additional analysis was done by group (modern type with hikikomori and modern type without hikikomori). @*Results@#Of 59 participants, 29 had MTD. In both groups, age and sex were matched with differences in education years. The MTD group contained 14 hikikomori individuals. Logistic regression identified the HQ-25 as a significant predictor for MTD. Notably, specific components like “low self-esteem” in TACS-22 and “isolation” in the HQ-25 significantly influenced MTD status. HQ-25 and RULS were significantly different between modern type with hikikomori and modern type without hikikomori. @*Conclusions@#Using Japanese diagnostic criteria, this study illuminated MTD in Korean patients. The findings underscore isolation and low self-esteem predicted diagnosis of MTD. As MTD shares common pathological traits with hikikomori, the therapeutic interventions are important in Korea.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#：Screening of male depression is important since their symptoms differ from females, such as more common suicide attempts and aggression. Rutz et al. designed the Gotland Male Depression Scale (GMDS) to understand male depression and prevent suicide. The aim of this study is to translate the GMDS into Korean and assess the factor structure of K-GMDS. @*Methods@#：The K-GMDS was administered to 213 male office workers in one public institution. The current study used exploratory factor analysis to validate the factor structure and used confirmatory factor analysis to test the construct validity of five factor models from prior research. @*Results@#：The result indicated that the K-GMDS is characterized by a two-factor structure, different from originally proposed GMDS factor structure and other prior models. Fit indices demonstrated the prior five models to be a poor fit to the data. The internal consistency was demonstrated by a Cronbach’s α of 0.921. @*Conclusions@#：This study can be used as a basis study of male depression, which has not been studied much in Korea. Though factor structure of GMDS reported discrepant findings with prior studies, it would help further development of the scale.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#Hikikomori is a social condition characterized by social withdrawal. It is essential to develop an objective indicator to screen for this condition and provide early intervention. Therefore, this study verified the validity and reliability of a Korean version of the 25-item Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ-25). @*Methods@#Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants at high risk of feeling loneliness and who were recruited through online and offline methods. Data based on clinical scales were collected, and after four weeks, a self-report questionnaire was administered to a few participants to confirm the degree of agreement. @*Results@#One hundred forty-three people were enrolled, out of which 45 were identified as hikikomori. There was a significant difference in scores between the hikikomori group and the unaffected group (64.44 and 39.30, respectively; p<0.01). Convergent diversity and test-retest reliability were satisfactory. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.817. Based on confirmatory factor analysis, the existing model was found suitable. In this study, sensitivity and specificity were 88.9% and 52.0% at 40.5 points, and 84.4% and 49.0% at 41.5 points, respectively. @*Conclusion@#The Korean version of the HQ-25 has secure validity and reliability. This scale can be beneficial in the screening and early intervention of hikikomori.