Hikikomori Risk Inventory (HRI-24): A new instrument for evaluating Hikikomori in both Eastern and Western countries

Background: Hikikomori, a clinical condition widely studied in Japan, is receiving increasing attention in Western Countries. Aims: This study aimed to create a new instrument for evaluating the risk of Hikikomori in both Eastern and Western countries. Methods: Through two studies on Italian adolescents, youths, and adults (n = 1,285) and a study on Japanese youths and adults (n = 392), we analyzed the psychometric properties of the Hikikomori Risk Inventory (HRI-24). Results: We found support, in both the Italian and Japanese samples, for the good and stable factor structure of the scale (CFI=0.94, RMSEA=0.057 for both the adult samples), as well as for its convergent and divergent validity. Conclusions: The HRI-24 might be used in future studies in both Western and Eastern countries to shed light on the features of this clinical disorder in different cultures. This will allow the development of culture-sensitive preventive and clinical interventions.