"I Want to Escape Isolation and Reclusion" Seven in 10 Isolated Youths Desire Recovery 

- Results of a survey on isolated and reclusive youths to be announced on March 26(Wed)

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) and the National Youth Policy Institute (NYPI) will co-host a forum on "Support Measures for Isolated and Reclusive Youths" at the Gajaeul Youth Meta Center on the afternoon of March 26 (Wednesday).

The forum will present the results of the "Survey on Isolated and Reclusive Youths" conducted by NYPI in 2024. It aims to share cases and discuss tailored support measures at home, school, and community levels with field and academic experts.

Dr. Choi Hong-il from NYPI will present the results of the first nationwide survey aimed at understanding the situation of isolated and reclusive youths (ages 9-24), with the key findings as follows:

(Life Satisfaction) The life satisfaction of isolated and reclusive youths scored 4.76 out of 10, significantly lower compared to 7.35 for their counterparts.

(Social Relationships) In the past two weeks, 8.3% had no conversations with family or relatives, and 5.6% with friends or acquaintances, compared to 1.9% and 0.8% respectively in the control group.

(Reasons for Isolation and Reclusion) Difficulties in interpersonal relationships were the most common at 65.5%, followed by academic challenges (48.1%), and career-related issues (36.8%) (multiple responses allowed).

(Psychological and Emotional Difficulties) Concerns about others' perceptions (68.8%) were most prevalent, followed by a lack of hope for the future (63.1%), and occasionally feeling despair (59.5%).

(Recurring Isolation and Reclusion) In response to whether this was their first experience of isolation, 39.7% of the youths reported having experienced isolation and reclusion before. The most common reasons cited for recurring isolation and reclusion were tired and exhausted (30.7%) and unresolved issues leading to further isolation (20.9%). 

(Willingness to Recover) 71.7% have felt a desire to escape their current situation.

* 55.8% have attempted to leave their isolated and reclusive lifestyles.

(Needed Support) The most needed supports are spaces where they can stay without being judged (79.5%), financial support (77.7%), support for solo hobbies, cultural, and sports activities (77.4%), career activities (75.1%), and recovery of daily routines (70.0%).

Dr. Choi Hong-il stated that the survey results highlight the need for policy support in developing family-based healing programs, enhancing relational skills for forming interpersonal relationships, and expanding free spaces.

Seo Mi, Director of the Korea Youth Counseling & Welfare Institute (KYCI), responsible for overseeing support programs for isolated and reclusive youths, will present case studies on these support measures.

In the following panel discussion, Professor Kim Young-geun from Inje University will moderate a comprehensive discussion among youth field and academic experts on tailored support measures for addressing the issues of youth isolation and reclusion.

Meanwhile, since March of last year, MOGEF has been implementing a comprehensive support project centered around 12 national Out-of-School Youth Support Centers, dedicated to isolated and reclusive youths, covering a range of services from detection to counseling, education, healing, family relationship restoration, and post-management.

Last year, tailored support was provided to 309 isolated and reclusive youths and their families, with all factors showing positive changes in pre- and post-service psychological and emotional tests.

This year, based on the positive feedback received last year, the ministry plans to enhance counseling and support group functions for the parents (guardians) of isolated and reclusive youths. Additionally, it aims to expand various recovery and reclusion programs to support youths in making practical efforts to overcome isolation and reclusion.

Additionally, the ministry plans to actively review measures for independence and psychological and emotional support, as well as the expansion of activity and free spaces for youths facing difficulties in interpersonal relationships, as suggested by the survey results.

Hwang Yun-jung, Head of the Youth and Family Policy Office at MOGEF, stated, "The results of the survey presented today show the need for more meticulous support to enable youths to early recover their psychological and social relationships and to grow healthily."

She added, "We will make efforts to proactively discover youths in need of help, provide comprehensive support, foster a societal atmosphere that embraces isolated and reclusive youths, and expand the support programs for isolated and reclusive youths nationwide."