A Study on Support Programs for Young Adults in Prolonged Social Withdrawal
Authors:   Korean Association For Learner-Centered Curriculum And Instruction, Cho Youngah , Lee Yunhee , Kim Jiyeon , Kwak Misun 
Published: November 2024

Objectives The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the practical and specific forms of support programs for social withdrawal and isolated young adults.
Methods In this study, an inductive data analysis method was utilized to examine 150 support programs for socially withdrawn young adults that have been operated over the past three years by a total of 23 organizations providing isolation and withdrawal programs. The programs were categorized into three groups: those for the young adults themselves, those for their families, and those for staff. The analysis focused on the content of the programs, as well as the timing and methods of support provided.
Results The analysis yielded a number of significant findings. First, among the support programs for socially withdrawn young adults, “education and activity” programs represented the largest proportion, with a notable emphasis on “self-understanding and self-recovery,” “relationship building,” and “basic daily living and health.” Secondly, among the support programs for the families of socially withdrawn young adults, “education and activity” programs were also the most prevalent, with a particular emphasis on “understanding the characteristics of withdrawn children,” “self-understanding and self-recovery,” and “methods of communicating with children.” Thirdly, training programs for individuals engaged in the care of socially withdrawn young adults were classified according to the following categories: “general public, ” “peer supporters with withdrawal experience,” “professional counselors,” and “organizational staff.” While the content of the programs differed according to the target group, there was a notable emphasis on the characteristics of socially withdrawn young adults and communication skills. Additionally, the majority of support programs for socially withdrawn young adults sought to intervene in the withdrawal state, with a relatively larger number of support programs provided offline.
Conclusions The program of support for socially withdrawn young adults is not only designed to assist the individuals themselves, but also to engage various stakeholders, including their families and support staff. Furthermore, the specific content of the program may vary slightly depending on the target group. At present, the program is predominantly oriented towards “education and activities.” However, given the heterogeneous levels and causes of social withdrawal among young adults, there is a necessity for the expansion of individualized counseling programs in the future. Moreover, there is a deficiency in the availability of specialized personnel who are trained to provide support for individuals who have been socially withdrawn for an extended period of time. This highlights the necessity for a variety of training programs that are designed to enhance the expertise of these support workers. In light of the multifaceted nature of the challenges faced by socially withdrawn young adults, it is imperative that future programs adopt a long-term and systematic approach to support.