"Why Are My Child's Grades Like This?" Surge in Overprotected, Isolated, and Reclusive University Students [University Students in Crisis] ⑧

Interview with Joohee Kim, Director of the Seoul Youth Resilience Center
Isolation and Withdrawal Are Warning Signs: 7 Out of 10 Contemplate Suicide
Unrelated to Academic Background or Income
Recent Increase in Overprotected Cases by Parent

Being emotionally and physically isolated, rarely going outside and living only at home—phenomena known as isolation and reclusion—can be seen as warning signs that increase the risk of suicide. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 75.4% of isolated and reclusive youth reported having considered suicide. This is a remarkably high rate compared to the 2.3% of all youth who have ever considered suicide. Furthermore, 26.7% of isolated and reclusive youth responded that they had attempted suicide.

Joohee Kim, Director of the Seoul Youth Restart Center—the nation's first dedicated institution supporting isolated and reclusive youth, which opened in 2024—told The Asia Business Daily on May 6, "Isolation and reclusive tendencies appear regardless of one's academic background or parents' income." She added, "Some young people enter university without having learned how to resolve conflicts on their own during adolescence, which leads to difficulties in interpersonal relationships and trouble adapting."

It is estimated that there are up to 540,000 isolated and reclusive youth nationwide. Last year, 5,596 youth between the ages of 19 and 39 applied for the center's programs. Among them, university students accounted for 11.1% (598 individuals). The reasons for university students developing isolation and reclusive tendencies include maladjustment to school life, experiences of frustration and failure such as intense job competition, emotional vulnerability caused by excessive competition, and overprotective parenting.

In particular, universities are witnessing a noticeable increase in students with the overprotected type of isolation and reclusion. A staff member at University A said, "Parents sometimes call during the course registration process on behalf of their children, or say things like, 'My child is having a conflict with their team members during a group assignment. Please change their team.'" A professor at University B shared, "I once received a call from the parent of a student who frequently missed class and even skipped exams, asking, 'Why are my child's grades so low?'" One university student struggling with campus life and interpersonal relationships confided that they did not know where to look or what to do with their hands when talking to others. Even after graduation, similar issues can persist in the workplace, causing prolonged periods of isolation and reclusion and preventing full integration into society.

Regarding this, Director Kim stated, "While it cannot be definitively said that isolation and reclusion directly lead to suicide, even if one's economic situation is good, a lack of a supportive environment or a decline in self-efficacy can lower self-esteem and cause feelings of despair, which may lead to suicidal thoughts." She emphasized, "To reduce the number of isolated and reclusive university students, we need to promote preventive activities starting in adolescence and expand parental education programs. Most importantly, we must help young people develop the ability to resolve conflicts on their own and communicate appropriately with others through conversation."

At the center, a self-growth project has shown positive results: isolated and reclusive youth set their own goals, and a counselor acts as a guide. Instead of setting grand goals, they start with small ones tailored to their psychological state and circumstances—for example, "waking up at 9 a.m.," "contacting three friends per week," or "attending certification classes regularly." Counselors meet regularly to check progress and provide support. Director Kim said, "Last year, we ran the program for four months with 70 young people, and it even led to actual employment, showing good outcomes. This year, we plan to develop a manual so that other local governments can utilize the program, based on a full-fledged effectiveness study." She also mentioned, "For youth who feel burdened by in-person activities, we plan to expand 'Online Restart Center' services in the second half of this year, offering routine challenge programs, small groups, and other activities online."

※ If you are struggling with depression or have concerns that are difficult to discuss, or if you have family or friends experiencing such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour expert counseling by calling the suicide prevention hotline at ☎ 109 or through the suicide prevention SNS counseling service 'Madeleine.'