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Nomophobia: Is the Fear of Being without a Smartphone Associated with Problematic Use?

Author

Listed:
  • Fareed Kaviani

    (Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia)

  • Brady Robards

    (School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia)

  • Kristie L. Young

    (Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia)

  • Sjaan Koppel

    (Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia)

Abstract

Mobile phones are changing behaviour, relationships, communication and the dynamics of physical environments. As such, reliance on the device for everyday activities has increased. Consequently, “nomophobia”, defined as the fear of being without one’s mobile phone, has emerged as a new phobia. The current study aimed to determine if nomophobia can increase the likelihood of problematic dependent, prohibited and dangerous mobile phone use. The sample comprised 2838 participants (males n = 1337 females n = 1501) recruited from various online platforms. The instrument used to measure nomophobia was the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), while problematic mobile phone use was measured using the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire (PMPUQ-R). The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between nomophobia and all three problematic use factors. In addition to nomophobia, regression models revealed younger age and more time spent on a mobile phone per day significantly increased problematic dependency, prohibited use and dangerous use. Males were more likely to engage in prohibited and dangerous use, while no significant gender differences were found in dependent use. These findings support the need for further research into the relationship between nomophobia and specific aspects of problematic mobile phone use, such as using a mobile phone while driving.

Suggested Citation

  • Fareed Kaviani & Brady Robards & Kristie L. Young & Sjaan Koppel, 2020. "Nomophobia: Is the Fear of Being without a Smartphone Associated with Problematic Use?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-19, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6024-:d:400895
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daria J. Kuss & Lydia Harkin & Eiman Kanjo & Joel Billieux, 2018. "Problematic Smartphone Use: Investigating Contemporary Experiences Using a Convergent Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Antonio-Manuel Rodríguez-García & Antonio-José Moreno-Guerrero & Jesús López Belmonte, 2020. "Nomophobia: An Individual’s Growing Fear of Being without a Smartphone—A Systematic Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Ronggang Zhou & Mengli Yu & Xinyi Wang, 2016. "Why Do Drivers Use Mobile Phones While Driving? The Contribution of Compensatory Beliefs," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(8), pages 1-18, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pedro M. Valero-Mora & Juan José Zacarés & Mar Sánchez-García & María Teresa Tormo-Lancero & Mireia Faus, 2021. "Conspiracy Beliefs Are Related to the Use of Smartphones behind the Wheel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Victoria García-Masip & Beatriz Sora & Maria José Serrano-Fernandez & Joan Boada-Grau & Bettina Lampert, 2023. "Personality and Nomophobia: The Role of Dysfunctional Obsessive Beliefs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Mohammad Radzi Manap & Nor Fazlin Mohd Ramli & Farina Tazijan & Siti Fauziana Zakaria & Malissa Maria Mahmud, 2024. "Nomophobia among Esl Learners in Malaysian Higher Learning Institute," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(9), pages 176-187, September.

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