STAYING CONNECTED OR WITHDRAWING: PERSONALITY, GENDER, AND ONLINE SOCIAL SUPPORT IN HIKIKOMORI TENDENCIES AMONG EMERGING ADULTS OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Hikikomori, characterized by prolonged social withdrawal and avoidance of occupational, academic, and interpersonal roles, has become an emerging psychosocial concern beyond its Japanese origins. The present study investigated the relationships between personality traits (HEXACO model), online social support, and hikikomori tendencies among Pakistani emerging adults, while also examining gender differences. A total of 407 participants (55% female; M = 20.88, SD = 1.87) aged 18–25 years were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants completed the HEXACO Personality Inventory (Ashton & Lee, 2007), the Hikikomori Questionnaire (Teo et al., 2018), and the Online Social Support Scale (Nick et al., 2018). Regression analyses revealed that Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience were significant negative predictors of hikikomori tendencies, indicating that individuals who are less sociable, organized, or open to new experiences are more likely to exhibit withdrawal behaviors. Moderation analysis further showed that online social support buffered the effects of low Extraversion and Conscientiousness, suggesting that higher perceived online support mitigated withdrawal among individuals with less adaptive personality profiles. Gender differences emerged for Emotionality, Openness to experience, and Emotional Support, with females scoring higher on these dimensions, while no significant gender differences were found in overall hikikomori symptoms. These findings underscore the complex interaction between personality and digital social environments in shaping social withdrawal among youth. The study highlights the protective role of online social support and calls for culturally informed, gender-sensitive interventions promoting balanced digital engagement and psychological well-being among emerging adults in collectivistic societies like Pakistan.

Keywords: Hikikomori, personality traits, HEXACO, online social support, gender differences, emerging adulthood, and Pakistan.