We can classify the Hikikomori phenomenon with the classification of “social pathology”: the Hikikomori phenomenon, and its spread in society, appear to be a real danger to the sustainability and resilience of the very society in which it occurs. This is because the social isolation of an individual, especially if young and non-independent, impacts the community of reference in human, economic and psychological terms. Therefore, an analysis that investigates the social aspects of the Hikikomori phenomenon cannot disregard the fact that it can be said to be sustainable in the community of reference within which it occurs. This, without wishing to produce a judgment on the merits of the social pathology, is relevant to assessing the capacity of that community to sustain its presence and spread and the human and social costs required to contain it. The research aims to explore the Hikikomori phenomenon in the context of Southern Italy, considering it as an emerging social vulnerability that impacts very deeply onto the sustainability of a social, economic and community systems such as the Campania region one. The following paper therefore presents empirical work conducted in southern Italy, in the Campania region. The methodology used is Mixed Methods, and the research design is Sequential Exploratory. The respondents were reached through the help of the association Hikikomori Italia.

This systematic review examines how scholarly literature has addressed the evolving media representation of elite athletes with disabilities, with particular attention to the shift from traditional to digital platforms and the rise of athlete self-representation. Drawing from 35 peer-reviewed articles published between 1999 and 2025, we analyse trends in media types, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches used to study Paralympic sport coverage. Our findings highlight a growing interest in multimodal and digital media, particularly social media platforms that enable athletes to challenge stereotypes and reshape narratives. While early research focused on visibility, gender disparity, and dominant media framings such as the “supercrip” trope, more recent work explores intersectionality, platform dynamics, and the participatory nature of self-representation. Despite this progress, several limitations persist. The literature remains geographically imbalanced, heavily centered on English-speaking and European contexts. It also tends to prioritize short-term, event-based analyses, while overlooking the lived experiences of athletes across their careers. Moreover, underrepresentation of athletes from minority backgrounds and less-visible sports signals a lack of intersectional perspective. This review not only maps the evolution of research on disability sport media coverage but also identifies gaps and future directions. These include examining algorithmic influences, diversifying geographic and identity-based representation, and connecting athlete perspectives with audience reception. Ultimately, we argue for a more inclusive, critical, and athlete-centered research agenda that reflects the complex dynamics of disability and media in the digital age.

What are the most recent developments in the scientific literature on disability and sport? How are these topics distributed within the international academic landscape? Can we identify distinct networks of expertise focusing on specific themes? These questions guide the present study, which maps the main thematic areas and collaborative networks in social science research on sport and disability. Methodologically, the article combines a systematic mapping of the literature with bibliometric analysis, following the PRISMA protocol to ensure transparency in the selection process. The analysis is based on English-language publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science between 1992 and 2024, retrieved through the keywords “sport” and “disability”. After the application of specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final dataset consisted of 945 papers. The results show a field marked by steady growth and by a structured, yet uneven, thematic and collaborative configuration. The literature is strongly organised around the Paralympics and inclusion, while more recent contributions increasingly address narratives, representations, and the lived experiences of athletes with disabilities. Overall, the findings indicate a gradual diversification of the field, with growing attention to bottom-up and experience-based perspectives alongside more established institutional and policy-oriented approaches.