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Nomophobia and Its Predictors: The Role of Psychological, Sociodemographic, and Internet Use Factors

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  • Inês Saraiva Ferreira

    (Health Sciences Faculty, Universidade Europeia, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal
    Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-013 Lisboa, Portugal
    Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), PsyAssessmentLab, Universidade de Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Belén Rando

    (Centre for Public Administration and Public Policies (CAPP), Institute of Social and Political Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-663 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • António Esteves

    (Health Sciences Faculty, Universidade Europeia, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Milena Castro

    (Health Sciences Faculty, Universidade Europeia, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Inês Xavier

    (Health Sciences Faculty, Universidade Europeia, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Ana Maria Abreu

    (Insight, Piaget Research Center for Ecological Human Development, 2805-059 Almada, Portugal
    Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1500-210 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

Nomophobia, or the fear of not being able to use a smartphone and/or the services, has gained increasing attention due to its growing prevalence. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of nomophobia and of potential variables associated with the phenomenon. Additionally, it sought to determine if the average of total nomophobia and the four second-order factors differed across gender. Finally, it analyzed the associations between nomophobia (overall and second-order factors) and psychological variables (self-esteem, loneliness, life satisfaction, and phubbing behavior), internet use, and sociodemographic characteristics. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 306 participants (68.6% women), aged between 18 and 79 years ( M = 38.0, SD = 16.3), using an online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t -tests comparing groups by gender, and bivariate correlations were computed. After, multiple linear regression analyses were performed to obtain parsimonious models with the most relevant variables (psychological variables, internet use, and sociodemographic characteristics) associated with overall nomophobia and its four dimensions. The results were generally consistent with the previous literature. Notably, gender and phubbing behavior were significantly associated with nomophobia. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the nomophobia phenomenon and may inform future interventions aimed at mitigating its potential impact on well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Inês Saraiva Ferreira & Belén Rando & António Esteves & Milena Castro & Inês Xavier & Ana Maria Abreu, 2025. "Nomophobia and Its Predictors: The Role of Psychological, Sociodemographic, and Internet Use Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(10), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:10:p:1495-:d:1759792
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Niu, Gengfeng & Yao, Liangshuang & Wu, Li & Tian, Yuan & Xu, Lei & Sun, Xiaojun, 2020. "Parental phubbing and adolescent problematic mobile phone use: The role of parent-child relationship and self-control," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
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