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本研究では、ひきこもりの問題にも12 のステップを用いているセルフヘルプグループの参加者2 名へのインタビューを行うことを通じて、グループの性質、参加者の経験、回復がどのように捉えられているのかを調査した。その結果、集団の中で、共感的にお互いの経験を伝え合う点、大勢の仲間に支えられるという実感を持てる点において、専門家の支援との間に相違点があることが示唆された。また、依存症などの問題と同じく、痛みを伴う底つき体験によって、それまでの自分の力に頼った生き方を手放すと同時に、そうした価値観に関する変容が生じていることが示唆されたこと、回復について、「無力」の受容といった観点から語られたことは、12 ステップグループ独自の性質によるものであるように考えられた。そして、グループ内において、社会における支配的な価値観とは異なる価値観が共有されていることが示唆されたことにより、多様な価値観を持つコミュニティや社会資源が存在することが重要であることが示唆された。 This research focused on participants’ experiences and recoveries in a self-help group for hikikomori (social withdrawal) in Japan. This group applies a 12-steps strategy deriving from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). to address hikikomori. I conducted semi-structured interviews with two participants belonging to this group. As a result, it is suggested that sympathetically telling each other one’s own experiences and feeling oneself being supported by another are different kinds of support than those offered by professionals such as clinical psychologists. Also, it is suggested that accepting one’s own helplessness with regard to pain allows the participants to be released from a lifestyle in which they always rely on their own efforts, and change their sense of values, as with an addiction such as alcoholism. This experience seems to be unique to self-help groups using a 12-step program. And it is suggested that the sense of values shared in each self-help group differs from the socially dominant sense of values. Therefore, it may be important to have communities and supporting organizations with diverse values systems in our society.

This research focused on intermediate community between society and individuals who experienced hikikomori. I conducted group interview with members of a group issues the information magazines of school refusal and hikikomori. As a result, it was suggested that sense of security obtained through sharing of experiences of school refusal or hikikomori is factor and motivation in their relationship. Also, it was suggested that their sensitivities to hurting others and other’s pain mediate their relationship. As regards the function of this community, it was suggested that members of the community can share their experiential knowledge through the information magazines. Also, it was suggested that the activities of editing and selling the magazines moderates their internal confl icts.