Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic placed people at risk for psychological strain and added a significant number of distressed people worldwide. Distress comes in many forms, and one of which is a range of mental health issues. Hikikomori Syndrome (HS) and health anxiety (HA) are considered emerging concerns in psychiatry, especially during the pandemic. The current body of literature calls for global research into the demographic and cross-cultural aspects of these issues. The study explored HS and HA among Filipino respondents living in Ilocos Norte during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Hikikomori Questionnaire-25 and Short Health Anxiety Inventory questionnaires. Results revealed significant risks of HS and HA among respondents of this study. The global crisis brought by the pandemic challenged the interrelations established within the basic unit of Philippine society. Social withdrawal exists among Filipinos despite the values of social relations embedded in the Filipino consciousness. On the other hand, young respondents are more preoccupied with physical health symptoms driven by exposure to various health content on the internet.