R&D PROJECTS

Project Overview

Preventing loneliness and isolation in the workplace can prevent social reclusion among the middle-aged and elderly and other problems

Studies of hikikomori (social reclusion) among middle-aged and elderly adults have shown that the main cause of reclusion is maladjustment within the workplace, not missteps in life prior to employment (such as not attending school). Isolation of the elderly has been a major research topic in research of social isolation conducted thus far. However, it is expected that mid-career retirement and social isolation in later years may be prevented if signs of deepening loneliness and isolation are identified and appropriate care and measures are taken within the workplace before complete isolation from society (i.e., social isolation of the elderly and social reclusion of middle-aged and elderly adults) occurs.

Development and testing of an application to measure loneliness and isolation among corporate employees

In this project, we aim to examine the processes by which feelings of loneliness worsen and isolation occurs among corporate employees in the workplace, develop measurement tools (smartphone application) for prevention of loneliness and isolation, test the tools in a corporate environment, and tie the results to the tools’ social implementation. We will examine four measurement tool types: “subjective indicators” that measure the state of loneliness and isolation over time using question items; “prevention charts” that reflect respondents’ own processes of loneliness and isolation; “q-IAT” that measures potential attitudes with respect to loneliness with questions; and a “loneliness Stroop test” that measures the Stroop effect related to loneliness. We will develop them with the cooperation of several dozen companies. By implementing the project, we aim to help create a society that does not produce social isolation or loneliness by preventing loneliness and isolation in the workplace, to measure loneliness and isolation at the conscious as well as unconscious levels by developing new tools using subjective and non-conscious indicators, and to create a social mechanism through trials within companies.

Q&A

Please tell us more about the social vision this project aims to achieve for the primary prevention of social isolation and loneliness.

The project’s immediate goal is to create vibrant workplace environments and promote the manifestation of workplaces in which all company employees can, using the tools developed in this project, participate in interpersonal relationships at the level they desire and truly feel that they “are useful” and “have a place” in the workplace. On top of this, we believe that if such environments are realized, their existence will prevent unwanted workplace separations and encourage people to actively engage in interpersonal relationships, even those outside of the workplace. We expect that these changes will indirectly contribute to the development of a society that can prevent social reclusion among middle-aged and elderly adults.

What are the biggest challenges (bottlenecks) in achieving the social vision above?

The first is to get companies willing to use the project’s tools and cooperate in various tests. We anticipate the cooperation of some companies, but we will need to get more.
Secondly, we do not have a clear idea of the kind of system we should build to get companies and the general public to actually use it. There are still questions we need to address, such as what a person who uses a tool should do next, and whether middle managers need to receive training before adopting the system.

Participating/Cooperating Institutions

• University of Tsukuba; Meisei University; Tokyo Seitoku University; Saitama Gakuen University; Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology; People Analytics & HR Technology Association; Career Support Department, General Human Resources Division, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation; j.union Inc., and others

Report

• FY2021 Research and Development Report (Japanese) (PDF: 843KB)