Projects

• Role: Co-Investigator (Co-I)

• Partner & Sponsoring Organization: Trauma and Psychological Health Institute, Sungkyunkwan University; National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)

• Focus Population: Korean Youths

• Timeline: 2025–2028

This multi-year national research project addresses the mental health and psychosocial needs of isolated and reclusive youth (고립은둔 청년), a population characterized by prolonged social withdrawal, emotional distress, and elevated risk for psychological difficulties. Despite increasing policy attention, empirical evidence guiding effective support strategies for this group remains limited. The project seeks to establish a comprehensive research foundation to inform prevention, recovery, and reintegration efforts by integrating perspectives from psychology, neuroscience, and social-contextual analysis.

As a Co-Investigator, my research contribution focuses on empirically examining the psychological and contextual factors associated with isolation and reclusion, including emotional distress, trauma-related experiences, and patterns of psychosocial functioning. Using large-scale survey data, longitudinal designs, and mixed-method approaches, this work investigates pathways of risk and change that influence trajectories toward continued withdrawal or gradual social reintegration. Particular attention is given to understanding how individual vulnerabilities interact with family, environmental, and developmental contexts over time.

Findings from this empirical work contribute to the theoretical grounding of the project by clarifying mechanisms underlying isolation and recovery processes among youth. This evidence base supports the broader project goal of informing personalized, data-driven support strategies and provides a rigorous foundation for subsequent phases involving digital and AI-assisted interventions.