Do Age, Gender and Poor Diet Influence the Higher Prevalence of Nomophobia among Young People?

The relationship between nomophobia and latent classes of personality

The phenomenon of nomophobia, defined as the anxiety experienced when a person is without their mobile phone or is unable to use it, has been identified as having serious negative effects on individuals, particularly students. Previous research has explored the relationship between personality traits and nomophobia, but the findings have been inconclusive. The main objective of this study was to classify personality types through latent class analysis and explore the relationship between these personality types and nomophobia. The Chinese version of the Nomophobia Scale and the Chinese brief version of the Big Five Personality Inventory were used in this study to survey 1906 Chinese college students. The results indicated that (1) a four-class model provided the best fit and categorized the personality traits as the overcontrolled class, resilient class, moderate class, and vulnerable class; (2) significant differences were observed between the four personality types and nomophobia, with overcontrolled and resilient personality types consistently scoring significantly lower than moderate and vulnerable personality types. Our finding highlights the key feature of the study.

Nomophobia and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Consumption in Adolescents in Galicia

This study aimed at exploring the association of nomophobia with alcohol, tobacco, and/or cannabis consumption among high school students. We carried out a cross-sectional study among high school and vocational training students in Galicia, Northwest Spain (N = 3,100). Collected data included nomophobia, sociodemographic variables, and alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption. Nomophobia was measured using the validated Nomophobia Questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using generalized linear mixed models. More than a quarter of the adolescents (27.7 percent) had nomophobia. We found an association between nomophobia and a high level of tobacco smoking in the last month in boys (OR = 2.16; 95 percent CI: 1.55-3.03). Nomophobia was also associated with higher odds of binge drinking in both genders (girls: OR = 1.86; 95 percent CI: 1.61-3.52; boys: OR = 2.29; 95 percent CI: 1.68-3.13) and with cannabis consumption in boys (OR = 1.74; 95 percent CI: 1.07-2.81). Our findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive investigation of the factors underlying alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption in the adolescent population.

Impact of Nomophobia on Musculoskeletal Problems in the Upper Extremity among Adults: Implications for Occupational Therapy

Nomophobia (NO MObile PHone Phobia) is a psychological condition in which people are anxious of being cut off from their mobile phones and been associated with adverse consequences to physical and psychosocial health. The objective of this study was to measure the impact of nomophobia on musculoskeletal problems in the upper extremity among adults. The Nomophobia scale (NMP-Q) was used to measure addiction to smartphone use among 5,087 Middle Eastern adults. A snowball sampling approach was used to recruit the participants between March and June 2021. Results showed that nomophobia was evident in 1,119 participants (22%) with a mean NMP-Q score of 114.1 (SD 11.1). A total of 3,396 upper extremity symptoms were reported among our participants. The binomial logistic regression showed that NMP-Q score is a significant predictor of symptoms to the thumb only (β = 0.01, p = .026). This study has provided evidence of the negative physical consequences of addiction to smartphone use. Participants with thumb-related symptoms were more prone to sustain other concurrent upper extremity symptoms, probably due to their maladaptive habits of using the phone. Thus, it is important to increase awareness about the risks associated with the use of smartphones. Implications for occupational therapy are presented.

Nomophobia in university students during COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

Currently, access to the Internet through smartphones has led to their functions going beyond purely communicative ones, allowing the management of massive, instantaneous, and easily accessible information. This research analyzed the differences in smartphone use and the prevalence of nomophobia, mainly according to gender and university degree of Health Sciences students at the University of Zaragoza during the COVID-19 confinement in Spain.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 318 first and second-grade students, who completed an online questionnaire sent to their institutional email, which included sociodemographic questions, other questions about smartphone use, and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) scale.

Results

Compared to men (n = 58), women (n = 260) were more likely to use their smartphones more intensively daily, as were occupational therapy students compared to the other degree programs studied. The prevalence of nomophobia was moderate, being around the risk of suffering from it. No significant differences in scores for nomophobia among students were found according to gender, university degree, or population nucleus for the nomophobia scores of the students.

Discussion

The present study extends the existing literature on nomophobia by providing results of interest in terms of gender and the exceptional healthcare context of COVID-19. The results suggest that despite intense daily smartphone use young people did not reach severe nomophobia figures. This fact underlines the need for appropriate and healthy technology education. Understanding the characteristics of the populations that use the smartphone the most may help to analyze nomophobia rates and the massive use of the device.

Prevalence of Nomophobia and Its Association with Academic Performance Among Physiotherapy Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross- Sectional Survey

Background

Nomophobia is common among students in many healthcare disciplines, and its association with academic performance has been explore before. However, there is no available data on its prevalence and association with academic performance among undergraduate physiotherapy (PT) students in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

Between 22 December 2022 and 30 January 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted by dissemination using an online platform (Survey Monkey).

Results

In total, 806 PT students, with males accounting for 494 (61%), responded to the survey. The prevalence of nomophobia among PT students was 98.4% (793). The mean (±SD) of the total NMP-Q items scores was 49 (±17), indicating a mild level of nomophobia. Female PT students had significantly higher nomophobia scores than the males (47 (39-65); 44 (38-52); (p < 0.001)). Non-smokers had significant higher nomophobia scores than smokers (46 (38-61); 44 (38-49); (p = 0.004)). Regarding grade point averages (GPA), the students with a GPA of less than 3.49 had the highest nomophobia score (51 (43-74); p <0.001)). Concerning the stage of their studies, bridging students had the highest nomophobia score (51 (34-76); p = 0.023)). Regarding academic warnings, those who reported no academic warnings had the highest nomophobia score (46 (42-50); p = 0.023)). Finally, regarding study hours, the students who spent ≥ five hours studying per week had the highest nomophobia score (54 (42-68); p < 0.001)).

Conclusion

Nomophobia is common among PT students, with the majority experiencing a mild level. Being female, non-smoker, and having a higher academic performance were risk factors associated with higher nomophobia levels.

Are Cyberchondria and Intolerance of Uncertainty Related to Smartphone Addiction?

Smartphones are a medium for performing online activities, and one such activity could be the compulsive online health information search - cyberchondria. This study aimed to test whether cyberchondria and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) positively predict smartphone addiction (SA), adjusted for age, gender, daily use duration, the reason for using smartphones, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The sample consisted of 471 adults (55.2% women) from the general population without chronic diseases (Mage = 38.67). Regression analysis showed that IU was a positive predictor of SA (β = .17, p < .001), as well as cyberchondria (β = .14, p < .001), which had a unique contribution to the explanation of SA, relative to IU. Other significant predictors were average daily smartphone use and entertainment use, the latter being the strongest predictor in the model. These results revealed cyberchondria as a unique predictor of SA.

Personality and Nomophobia: The Role of Dysfunctional Obsessive Beliefs

BACKGROUND

The development of new technologies (ICTs), and specifically the invention of smartphones, has offered users enormous benefits. However, the use of this technology is sometimes problematic and can negatively affect people's lives. Nomophobia has been defined as the fear of being unreachable by means of a smartphone and is considered a disorder of the modern world. The present study aims to provide additional evidence of the relationship between personality traits and nomophobia. Moreover, this research explores dysfunctional obsessive beliefs as another possible antecedent. Finally, this study also examines the effect of the combination of these antecedents on nomophobia.

METHOD

The study sample was comprised of Spanish workers (males: 44.54%; females: 55.46%) in the city of Tarragona and its surroundings.

RESULTS

Our results showed that nomophobia is directly related to personality traits such as extraversion, and that dysfunctional obsessive beliefs play a role in the development of nomophobia. Moreover, our study confirms that the combination of personality traits and dysfunctional obsessive beliefs can affect the degree of nomophobia experienced.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Our study contributes to the body of literature that examines how psychological variables of personality can be predictors of nomophobia. Additional research is needed to better understand the determinants of nomophobia.

Prevalence of Nomophobia and Its Impact on Academic Performance Among Respiratory Therapy Students in Saudi Arabia

Background

Nomophobia has been highly prevalent among health discipline students. However, there is no available data on the prevalence of nomophobia among respiratory therapy (RT) students in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey using the nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q) was conducted and distributed using a convenience sample of RT students through an online platform (Survey Monkey) between September and November 2022.

Results

Overall, 1428 RT students, with males accounting for 773 (54%), responded to the online survey. The prevalence of nomophobia among RT students was 97.3% (1390). The mean (±SD) of the total NMP-Q items scores was 62 (±22), indicating a moderate level of nomophobia among the RT students. Female RT students had significantly higher nomophobia scores than male RT students (63 (47-80) vs 59 (43-75); p <0.001)). Single RT students had significantly higher nomophobia scores than married RT students (62 (46-78) vs 46 (37-64); p <0.001)). RT students who were living outside the family home had significantly higher nomophobia scores than RT students who were living with their family (66 (54-78) vs 60 (44-77); p = 0.001)). RT students with a GPA of 4.50 to 5.00 had the highest nomophobia score (63 (46-79); p = 0.005)). RT students who were in their third year had the highest nomophobia score (66 (48-80); p <0.001)). RT students who reported no academic warnings had the highest nomophobia score (63 (48-80); p <0.001)). RT students who spent ≥ five hours studying per week had the highest nomophobia score (64 (51-80); p <0.001)).

Conclusion

Nomophobia is common among RT students, with the majority experiencing a moderate level. Being female, single, living outside the family home, and having a higher academic performance were risk factors associated with higher nomophobia levels.

Relationship between Nomophobia, Various Emotional Difficulties, and Distress Factors among Students

The concept of nomophobia is a relatively new and is defined as the fear of not being able to use all the features and benefits provided by smartphones. The main goal of this research was to examine the relationship between nomophobia and various emotional difficulties and distress factors. The following measuring instruments were used on a sample of 257 Croatian students whose average age was 22 years: Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q); Scales of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DASS); Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale (SELSA); and Emotional Skills and Competences Questionnaire (ESCQ-15). Significant correlations between nomophobia and all examined variables were determined. It was found that nomophobia and emotional skills and competence act as significant predictors in expression of distress factors: 30% of the variance in the severity of depression symptoms, 24% of the variance in the severity of anxiety symptoms, and 26% of the variance in the severity of stress symptoms were explained.

Prevalence of Nomophobia and an Analysis of Its Contributing Factors in the Undergraduate Students of Pakistan

Nomophobia (no-mobile-phone phobia) is a relatively new term that describes the growing fear and anxiety associated with being without a mobile phone. Our study aims to determine the prevalence of nomophobia among the undergraduate students of Pakistan, and to determine its correlation with age and gender. It also aims to determine the contributory factors of nomophobia. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey from March 25 to April 25, 2021. The snowball sampling technique was used for data collection. The Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) developed by Yildirim and Correia was circulated among the target population. It was a 7-point Likert Scale that was analyzed on the basis of age and gender using IBM SPSS version 22 and MS Excel 2007. The contributing factors were also analyzed. Of the 483 responses we received, 28 were discarded due to incompleteness and respondents being out of age under study that is, 15-25 years. Most of the respondents were women (n = 314, 69.01 percent). Men were less in number than women (n = 141, 31 percent). The ages of most of the respondents lied between 15 and 25 years. Twenty was the mode age. One hundred eighty-six (40.88 percent) had severe, 221 (48.57 percent) had moderate, and 48 (10.55 percent) had mild nomophobia. Average factor-wise scores and individual item scores were also added. Our findings reached a conclusion that the majority of the undergraduate students in Pakistan suffer from nomophobia ranging from its mild to severe form. Nomophobia can possibly be included as a recognized phobia in the DSM. Wider research on the subject to investigate it further and evaluate the clinical significance should be done.

Adaptation of the European Portuguese Version of the Nomophobia Questionnaire for Adolescents, Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties

Nomophobia can be defined as a digital age phobia consisting of an excessive fear of being without a smartphone. Nomophobia negatively impacts physical and mental health, particularly in children and adolescents. This study aimed to test the factor structure and psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Nomophobia Questionnaire for Adolescents (NMP-Q-A). Sample 1 comprised 338 adolescents (58.6% girls), with a mean age of 13.55 (SD = 2.07) years old, and was used to examine the factor structure of the NMP-Q-A, its psychometric properties and the association with other constructs. Sample 2 included 193 adolescents (53.9% boys), with a mean age of 13.61 (SD = 0.80) years old and was used to further test the NMP-Q-A factor structure. One higher-order factor with four lower-order factors structure revealed a good fit to the data in both samples. The NMP-Q-A showed good reliability, construct and concurrent validity. Girls showed higher nomophobia. Adolescents showing more nomophobia revealed more smartphone addiction and psychopathological symptoms and lower quality of life. The NMP-Q-A showed to be a valid and reliable measure to be used in clinical and educational settings.

Hedonic use, stress, and life satisfaction as predictors of smartphone addiction

•

Hedonic smartphone use predicts the risk of smartphone addiction.

•

Perceived stress predicts the risk of smartphone addiction.

•

Satisfaction with life predicts indirectly and negatively the risk of smartphone addiction.

•

Female gender is a direct and positive predictor of the risk smartphone addiction.

•

Hedonic smartphone use positively predicts perceived stress, and life satisfaction negatively predicts perceived stress.

This study examined the relationship between hedonic smartphone use (entertainment, social media, games), perceived life stress, and satisfaction with life with smartphone addiction (SA). We tested the connections using structural equation modeling (SEM) on questionnaire data obtained from 410 participants (73.2% women). Results indicated a good overall fit of the model (χ²(36) = 58.06, p = .011; CFI = 0.970, TLI = 0.954, RMSEA[90% CI] = 0.039 [0.019, 0.056], SRMR = 0.037). Perceived stress and hedonic use were positive predictors of SA (β = 0.264, p = .001 and β = 0.176, p = .002, respectively). Satisfaction with life did not directly predict SA, but an indirect effect, via perceived stress, was statistically significant (β = −0.146, p = .001). Women showed greater SA than men, but the effect of age was not significant. Perceived stress was negatively predicted by satisfaction with life, and positively by hedonic use. Based on the compensatory internet use theory, hedonic or non-utilitarian smartphone use might be associated with SA. The study concludes that being female, hedonic smartphone use, and perceived life stress predict SA.

Nomophobia in Late Childhood and Early Adolescence: the Development and Validation of a New Interactive Electronic Nomophobia Test

The widely spread dependence on smartphones by children, adolescents, and adults has shoved researchers to assess its impact on the wellbeing of individuals. Nomophobia, the fear of being out of cellular contact, was typically assessed by self-report measures or proxy measures in adolescents and older adults. The goal of the current study was to examine nomophobia in late childhood and adolescence using scenario-based vignettes that are interactively presented and mediated by computers. To fulfill this goal, the Interactive Electronic Nomophobia Test (IENT), comprising of five scenario-based vignettes, was developed and administered to 1211 students aged between 10 and 18 years and enrolled in grades 5–12. The IENT psychometric properties were examined using a series of confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Additionally, the study examined the clustering nomophobia symptoms in a nationally representative sample of Omani students and explored the association of these Nomophobia symptoms with both students’ grade and gender. Results of the study provided evidence of the four-pronged structure of the IENT, and an overall all composite nomophobia score, with strong associations found among the subscales, and between each of the four subscales and Nomophobia composite score. Invariance tests found significantly different model results by gender in all cases. Finally, cluster analysis revealed two to three clusters, with significant associations between gender, class, and cluster type. Implications of the study are discussed in view of previous literature on the assessment of nomophobia and smartphone addiction.

Do Age and Educational Stage Influence No-Mobile-Phone Phobia?

Technological progress not only brings with it resources that improve and facilitate the day-to-day life of the people who make up society but also entails health risks, with the emergence of terms, such as nomophobia, which is considered an anxiety disorder produced by the fear that not having a mobile phone generates in a person. This research aims to identify the relationship and influence between levels of nomophobia and the age or educational stage of students. The research method is based on a correlational and predictive design of quantitative methodology. The instrument used is the NMP-Q questionnaire. The study population is students from different educational stages (obligatory secondary education, baccalaureate, vocational training and university). The results show that students over 12 years old present an average level of “nomophobia” (no-mobile-phone phobia), namely, not being able to communicate with the family where the highest levels are presented. We conclude that students over 12 years of age and of any educational stage present an average level of nomophobia, and it cannot be determined that either the educational stage or the age are determining factors in the presentation of this problem. This can occur at any age and at any level of the different educational stages, although there are risk indicators that we should bear in mind to avoid the appearance of nomophobia.

Eating Habits and Sleep Quality during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adult Population of Ecuador

Confinement due to COVID-19 has brought important changes in people’s lives as well as in their eating and resting habits. In this study we aimed at exploring the eating habits and sleep quality of the adult population of Ecuador during the mandatory confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional study, which used an online survey that included questions about eating habits and sleeping habits in adults (n = 9522) between 18–69 years old. The Pittsburg sleep quality questionnaire validated for the Hispanic population was used, and questions about dietary habits. The statistical test Chi-square statistical test was used to analyze the data. The results show that sleep quality differs according to sex, being worse in women, both in all components of sleep quality and in the total score (p < 0.001). Women had greater changes in the habitual consumption of food compared to men (24.24% vs. 22.53%), and people between 18 and 40 years of age decreased their food consumption in relation to people >40 years (24.06% vs. 17.73%). Our results indicate that mandatory confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador has generated changes in the eating habits and sleep quality in the adult population sampled, and these changes are more noticeable in women and young adults. These changes offer an important alert for the health system and further, advice for the implementation of future public health policies.

Nomophobia and the influence of time to REST among nursing students. A descriptive, correlational and predictive research

The inclusion of the smartphone in society has brought many advantages, but also disadvantages, such as nomophobia, considered as a digital disease generated by the excessive use of the smartphone. The general objective of the research is to know and analyse the prevalence of nomophobia among nursing students and knowing the influence of time to rest. The research design is descriptive, correlational, transversal and predictive with a quantitative research methodology. The sample consist of nursing students from the University of Granada (N = 880) in Spain. A descriptive analysis has been carried out, as well as a bivariate correlation of Pearson, the student T test and a multiple linear regression. The results show an average level of nomophobia among nursing students. Although the students can recognize that the use of the smartphone can reduce their rest period, mainly focused on the hours they spend sleeping, there is no significant relationship between the two facts, confirming also that the levels of nomophobia are significantly more related in those who claim not to have problems in their rest due to the use of the mobile phone. A large percentage of them claim to rest less time due to excessive use of their smartphone.

The Association between Symptoms of Nomophobia, Insomnia and Food Addiction among Young Adults: Findings of an Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey

No previous research has examined the association between symptoms of nomophobia and food addiction. Similarly, only a few studies have examined the association between nomophobia and symptoms of insomnia. This exploratory study utilized an online self-administered, structured questionnaire that included: basic sociodemographic and anthropometrics; the nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q); the insomnia severity index (ISI); and the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) in a convenience sample of young adults (18–35 years) in Bahrain (n = 654), 304 (46%) males and 350 (54%) females. Symptoms of severe nomophobia, moderate-severe insomnia, and food addiction were more common among female participants both for each disorder separately and in combination; however, differences did not reach statistical significance. For severe nomophobia, the rate for females was 76 (21.7%) and for males was 57 (18.8%) p = 0.9. For moderate-severe insomnia, the rate for females was 56 (16%) and for males was 36 (11.84%) p = 0.1. For food addiction, the rate for females was 71 (20.29%) and for males was 53 (17.43%) p = 0.3. A statistically significant association was present between nomophobia and insomnia r = 0.60, p < 0.001. No association was found between nomophobia and food addiction. Nomophobia is very common in young adults, particularly in females; nomophobia is associated with insomnia but not with food addiction.

Nomophobia is Associated with Insomnia but Not with Age, Sex, BMI, or Mobile Phone Screen Size in Young Adults

PURPOSE

NOMOPHOBIA (NO MObile PHone PhoBIA) or problematic smartphone use is a psychological disorder in which people are afraid of being cut off from their mobile phones. Currently, there has been no direct assessment of mobile phone screen size in the home setting and its effect on nomophobia and related symptoms, such as insomnia. Thus, we investigated the association between nomophobia, insomnia, and mobile phone screen size in a young adult population in Bahrain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using a descriptive, cross-sectional design, we surveyed participants aged 18 to 35 between August and September 2020 using an online questionnaire. Participants completed demographic questions and questions about personal mobile phones, the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The mobile phone screen size was determined using an open-source online database. Crude and adjusted regression analyses were fitted to examine the associations between the study variables.

RESULTS

A total of 549 individuals, 54% females, were included in the final analyses. One hundred and fourteen participants (21%) had severe nomophobia, and 81 (14%) had clinical insomnia. A strong positive pair-wise linear association was observed between NMP-Q and ISI β 0.15, P = 0.001. Age, sex, BMI, and mobile phone screen size showed no association with the NMP-Q.

CONCLUSION

Nomophobia is very prevalent in young adult men and women, and it is closely associated with insomnia, regardless of mobile phone screen size, suggesting that mobile phone screen size should not be used as a proxy for hazardous usage.

Digital Competence and Gender: Teachers in Training. A Case Study

The ICTs are simultaneously an important tool and subject in teacher training. It, therefore, follows that digital competence is fundamental and constitutes a significant educational challenge, particularly the digital divide or gap by gender. The aim is to identify and analyze self-perceptions of digital skills, and the possible relationship of these to gender, in first-year university students taking a degree in primary education teacher training at a Spanish faculty of education. This is a descriptive study using ex-post-facto method and collecting data from a questionnaire administered for four consecutive years to the above-mentioned subjects. The results revealed gender differences in the students’ reported perceptions. Men were more likely to perceive themselves as competent in the use of ICTs, reporting better information management and online collaboration skills using digital media. Besides, they made more use of computers as their sole device for browsing, downloading, and streaming and felt more confident about solving problems with devices. In contrast, women reported making more use of mobile phones and were more familiar with social media and aspects related to image and text processing and graphic design.

Nomophobia and its predictors in undergraduate students of Lahore, Pakistan

Increasing rates of smartphone use in Pakistani undergraduate students, coupled with a dearth of research, indicate a need for a better understanding of the effects of Smartphone use on this population. This cross-sectional study therefore aimed to measure rates of nomophobia and its predictors among this understudied population. A total of 138 undergraduate students of a private university in Lahore, Pakistan completed a demographics questionnaire and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) as part of a larger study. All students reported some level of nomophobia, with the largest proportion reporting moderate levels. Gender differences were seen in NMP-Q scores, with women reporting greater levels of nomophobia, specifically within the "Not being able to communicate" subscale of the NMP-Q. Multiple linear regression indicated that, while hours of usage per day, number of times per day checking phone, and amount of time in university were all correlated with NMP-Q scores, however, the only significant predictor was hours of usage per day [R = .331, R2 = .109, F (3, 116) = 4.748, p < .05]. The results of this study indicate that, as use of smartphones continues to increase in this developing nation, monitoring nomophobia and its correlates is of great importance, and carries with it implications at the societal and university policy levels.