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In Australia, illegal smartphone use while driving is on the rise, increasing the likelihood drivers could be distracted and crash. Smartphones avail users a sense of belonging, connectedness, and access to information. As such, the sensation of being without one’s smartphone has developed into the prevalence of nomophobia, defined as the fear and anxiety associated with being without smartphone. The aim of the current study was to specifically examine the relationship between smartphone use while driving and nomophobia by 1) determining the types and frequency of illegal phone use while driving and, 2) exploring the relationship between nomophobia and illegal phone use while driving. The sample consisted of 2,774 Victorian smartphone users (47.0% male) with a valid driver’s licence. Driver’s nomophobia levels were measured using the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), while driver’s smartphone use was measured using an original scale developed by the authors. A binary logistic regression was conducted which showed that the longer average time spent per day on a smartphone and a lack of knowledge of the mobile phone road law were the strongest positive predictors of illegal use (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.09–1.60; OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.48–2.28, respectively). However, only one nomophobia factor (i.e., access to information) significantly predicted illegal smartphone use (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.04–1.09). Smartphone use is a complex and contextual behaviour, therefore, focusing on the fear of being without in dependency overlooks the nuances of the need to be with. This study offered several practical interventions that may mitigate illegal smartphone use and reduce the likelihood of crashes among Victorian road users.

Given the prominent role that smartphones have in everyday life, research in the field has proliferated. From a theoretical perspective, problematic smartphone use (PSPU) is described as a multi-faceted phenomenon entailing a variety of dysfunctional manifestations (e.g., addictive, antisocial and dangerous use). To date, however, there is still a lack of empirical evidence supporting the identification of PSPU as a potential behavioural addiction. Driven by theory, the aim of the present study was to provide an empirically validated model by testing the contribution of specific factors leading to PSPU. Relationships among individual characteristics (internalised psychopathology, impulsivity and personality traits) and PSPU uses (addictive, antisocial and dangerous) were investigated according to the updated version of the theoretical framework provided by the Pathway Model of problematic smartphone use (Billieux et al., 2015). An online survey was administered to a convenience sample (N = 511) of smartphone users in order to examine their daily engagement, problematic usage patterns and related psychological correlates. Path analysis revealed important information about different PSPU components and results are discussed in light of the available literature. Recommendations for future research are proposed to further investigate the problematic behaviour, including the study of additional variables, such as the fear of missing out (FoMO), nomophobia and excessive social media use.

Childhood and adolescent experiences have undergone a major transition in interaction with digital technologies since the advent of smartphones. Following a needs assessment study, adolescent online uses and motivations for social networking site use were explored. Six focus groups (comprising 42 adolescent students of secondary schools in the UK) were recruited. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Six motivational themes emerged from the analysis, reflecting interactivity and need for control of content and relationships, exhibiting the dynamic nature of engagement with social networking sites: (i) symbiotic relationship with peers online via social media and smartphone attachment, (ii) digital omnipresence related to the need for control and loss of control, (iii) emotional regulation and enhancement, (iv) idealization versus normalization of self and others, (v) peer comparison and ego validation, and (vi) functionality - facilitation of communication functions. These findings offer an understanding of the key drivers of normative adolescent social media behaviour that go beyond the theoretical associations with Uses and Gratifications Theory and Self-Determination Theory, suggesting an additional alternative motivational factor for social media use, that of need to control relationships, content, presentation and impressions. This need may be underlying FoMO and nomophobia and could therefore be responsible for increasing engagement or compulsive use. These findings shed light on cognitive-emotive aspects that may be implicated in problematic use and may inform interventions targeting excessive or problematic screen time and specific social media use aspects that merit scientific attention.

The present paper develops a new concept, called Reflective Smartphone Disengagement (RSD), defined as individuals’ deliberate efforts to control and restrict smartphone use. Based on the reflective-impulsive model, we examined the RSD concept in four studies, using cross-sectional data of adolescents (Study 1, n = 453, Study 3, n = 760) and adults (Study 4, N = 672), as well as panel data of adults (Study 2, n = 461). In Study 1, findings from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the one-dimensionality of the RSD scale. In Study 2, we found evidence for high test–retest reliability as well as discriminant validity, and in terms of predictive validity, RSD negatively predicted excessive smartphone use, information overload, and the social availability norm over time. Study 3 demonstrated convergent validity with a negative relationship with trait nomophobia and a positive one with trait self-reflection. Study 4 confirms the structural validity of a shorter version of the scale. We discuss avenues for future research and broader implications of the RSD concept for the field. ispartof: Computers In Human Behavior vol:128 status: Published online

Excessive cellphone use impacts attention and learning in classrooms. Given that attention declines over time, we investigated when during lecture cellphones might impair learning. Across two experiments, participants watched a 20-min lecture under different cellphone conditions (keep or remove). Groups who kept their cellphones received distracting text messages during the lecture. Participants were quizzed on the lecture. Quiz questions were divided into four segments depending on when the material was presented. Lastly, participants' nomophobia—the fear of being without access to one's cellphone—was assessed. Participants who kept their cellphone performed worse on the quiz for material presented in the 3rd quarter of the lecture than those without cellphones. Distracted participants performed worse on the test for the same material than those who were not distracted. Participants higher in nomophobia, especially on subscales having to do with losing connectedness and giving up convenience, performed worse on the quiz for material that occurred in the 3rd quarter of the lecture. Findings indicate that having cellphones in a short lecture has its largest impact on attention and learning 10–15 min into the lecture. This study provides novel insights into the interactions between technology and learning to help educators and students optimize learning.

A growing body of literature demonstrates that smartphone use can become problematic when individuals develop a technology dependency such that fear can result. This fear is often referred to as Nomophobia, denoting the fear of not being able to use one's phone. While the literature (especially on technostress and problematic smartphone use) has shed ample light on the question of which factors contribute to the development of Nomophobia, it remains less clear how, why, and under what conditions Nomophobia, in turn, results in negative consequences, especially stress. Drawing on the demand-control-person model, this study develops a novel research model indicating that Nomophobia impacts stress through the perception of a social threat and that this indirect effect depends on the context of a phone withdrawal situation. Data collected from 270 smartphone users and analyzed using multi-group path analysis supported our model. The results showed that the proposed indirect effect is non-significant only when situational certainty and controllability come together, that is, when people know for how long they will not be able to use their phones and when they have control over the situation. Managers can help their nomophobic employees by instilling in them trust and perceptions of social presence while also giving them more control over their smartphone use during meetings.

Communication and relationships have been dramatically altered among emerging adults thanks to the rapid adoption of the smartphone in just over a decade. Studying the effects of evolving personal technology helps researchers understand both the detriments of widespread adoption and the benefits that accompany the technology. One such area of concern is the relationship of technology with loneliness. Emerging adulthood is described as the period of transition from adolescence to adulthood, taking place from age 18–25. This period is characterized by change, exploration, but also a vulnerability to psychological distress. Young adults are not only at greater risk of loneliness compared to other developmental stages, but report greater distress about being lonely (Rokach, 2000). Previous research has found support for the hypothesis that use of social communication on the Internet has a bidirectional relationship with loneliness (Nowland et al., 2018); use of the Internet can support relationships and decrease loneliness, but if used as a compensation for social skill deficits, the Internet can also displace quality time spent in relationships, and thereby increase loneliness. This study examines loneliness and its relationship with smartphone use, while also accounting for individual differences in facets of neuroticism, communication apprehension, emotional support, and nomophobia for emerging adults. Participants (N = 302; MAGE = 18.85) completed self-report measures of loneliness and the individual differences variables. They also reported average daily smartphone data of screen time, pickups, and application (app) use, which was measured by their personal devices. Correlations indicated loneliness was positively associated with screen time, social media app use, neuroticism, social recognition, communication anxiety, and nomophobia. Loneliness was negatively associated with smartphone pickups, communication application use, need for affiliation, and emotional support. A regression analysis revealed that neuroticism, need for affiliation, social recognition, emotional support, and smartphone pickups were significant predictors of loneliness, when taking into account all the individual difference and smartphone use variables. Neuroticism and loneliness have a strong relationship, but a hierarchical regression showed that over and above neuroticism and its facets, smartphone screen time and pickups predict loneliness. Overall, the results for this sample of emerging adults supported the hypotheses by Nowland et al. (2018) about social use of the Internet, but applied to smartphone use. More time spent on one's smartphone and on social media apps is related to increased loneliness, and is discussed in context of identity development. More frequent use (pickups) and use of communication apps is related to decreased loneliness and is discussed with respect to development of relationship intimacy. These results suggest that loneliness in young adults is related to different types of smartphone use, even when accounting for stable characteristics such as personality. Finally, neuroticism remains a significant variable in understanding loneliness, and further examination of lower-order facets help define a more nuanced profile in individual differences.

Nomophobia or “No Mobile Phobia” is a relatively recent term, which describes the anxiety associated with not having access to one's mobile phone or smartphone. Recently, research into nomophobia has garnered significant research attention in tandem with rising rates of smartphone penetration worldwide. However, most research on nomophobia de-contextualizes the source(s) of nomophobia; rather, pathologizing the need for communication and how it occurs. Ultimately, the current conceptualization of nomophobia infers burden upon the individual to address their smartphone-related “phobia”, rather than the social and environmental factors that necessitate their use in modern society. The following opinion piece critiques the ways in which nomophobia has been conceptualized in research literature and discusses the limitations and ethical implications of this approach.

Objectives: The aims of this session are to: 1) compare self-report and app-reported measures of smartphone use between older teenagers and millennials;2) examine the impact of affective and cognitive variables in predicting a variety of constructs (sleep quality, academic performance, stress, anxiety, depression) as mediated by technology use;and 3) assess the efficacy of interventions to reduce technology use. Note that some observations were collected before and during COVID-19 at-home instruction, providing a serendipitous opportunity to examine smartphone usage as a function of the pandemic educational demands. This was not a study variable and involved limited data. Methods: For each study, online surveys assessed self-reported technology use, app-reported smartphone use, social media use, digital metacognition, executive functioning problems, technological anxiety (nomophobia), and multitasking preference. Most studies also assessed a variety of affective, cognitive, and technology use variables. Some included an intervention to reduce screen time. Results: Although the most recent data are currently being analyzed, studies demonstrated that both older teenagers (17-18 years) and millennials (Mage = 25 years) showed the same pattern of daily smartphone unlocks and daily smartphone minutes, indicating that they averaged approximately 70 daily unlocks for 265 smartphone minutes. Interventions changed smartphone use during the intervention but reverted to baseline soon thereafter. Models demonstrated the impact of both cognitive and affective variables on sleep, academic performance and depression, stress and anxiety as mediated by smartphone use, and social media use and digital metacognition for millennials and older teenagers. Conclusions: 1) Smartphone usage is increasing for both millennials and older teenagers. 2) Affective and cognitive variables do indeed predict sleep quality, academic performance and stress, and anxiety and depression, and they are powerfully mediated by social media use, smartphone use, and digital metacognition. 3) Efforts to ameliorate these smartphone usage behaviors failed to enact even temporary changes when the interventions were removed. AD, DDD, MED

Despite the increasing popularity of smartphones in our daily lives, their usage among college students has been broadly discouraged because ample studies demonstrate that this usage has a strongly negative impact on academic performance. This study strives to revisit this relationship by scrutinizing the distinctions among mobile applications. Based on a survey of more than 10,000 college students, our study offers robust evidence that, if used appropriately, smartphones can motivate better academic performance. Specifically, based on activity theory and psychological trait theories, we quantify the impacts of using six different mobile applications on students’ academic performance and detect their indirect impacts mediated by both nomophobia (the fear of being unavailable to mobile phones) and behavioral habits. Two kinds of poor sleep habits are investigated: late sleep and insomnia. Our results reveal positive, direct impacts of using mobile learning and news applications on academic performance and adverse effects of playing mobile games, as well as using social media, music and video, and entertainment book-reading applications. Notably, the use of mobile learning applications does not contribute to nomophobia. However, the other five types of mobile applications — social media, mobile games, music and video, entertainment book reading, and news — do.

Background Smartphones are ubiquitous, and for some, an indispensable companion. In nursing education curricula and clinical healthcare settings, smartphones have the potential to augment student learning. Nursing students report significant benefits to smartphone use, which extend beyond learning, to include enhanced communication, clinical decision making and evidence-based practice. Despite these benefits, little is known about the negative impact of smartphones on student learning. Objectives This integrative review aimed to synthesise findings from published research that referred to the detrimental direct or indirect effect of smartphone usage on nursing students. Design The integrative review was guided by the five-stage approach as conceptualised by Whittemore and Knafl (2005) . Methods Seven electronic databases were systematically searched in consultation with a university librarian (CINAHL Plus, Ovid Medline ALL, Nursing and Allied Health Database, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus and ERIC) using a combination of key search terms and medical subject headings. A total of 646 articles were retrieved, and following removal of duplicates, screening of titles and abstracts, a final 27 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Results Studies in the review originated from Korea (n = 7), Turkey (n = 6), India (n = 4), Spain (n = 3), USA (n = 2), Spain/Portugal (n = 1), Iran (n = 1), France (n = 1), Canada (n = 1) and Egypt (n = 1). Personal smartphone use was reported to be a distraction within clinical and classroom learning, and considered as uncivil, and compromised professionalism. Frequently, smartphones were used for entertainment (e.g. social networking) rather than professional purposes. The studies identified a concerning level of nomophobia and smartphone addiction among nursing students that caused stress and anxiety, and adversely affected sleep, learning and academic performance. Recommendations were proposed for smartphone policies. Conclusions Excessive smartphones use among nursing students may adversely affect physical and mental health and potentially impact on student learning within the classroom and clinical environment. Educators should consider the implementation of policies or guidance for the responsible use of smartphones by nursing students whilst in the classroom setting and during clinical placement, to mitigate the potential negative impact on health and academic performance.

A smartphone is a device which offers advanced technologies, functions similarly to a computer, supports multitasking and makes it easy to remain connected with others. The following survey design research examined the usage patterns of smartphone users across different demographics. The results of this study provide insights into the prevalence of respondents usage of smartphones and their habits and behavior related to smartphone use itself especially among the younger generation of social disorders such as nomophobia and phubbing. In addition to documenting the experience of smartphone users, the research also examines personality patterns related to smartphone usage, the trends of different age groups, and the effects of gender preferences. We investigate behavioral patterns and impacts of smartphone usage.We discuss personal challenges of mental disorder due to smartphone's addiction.Smartphone's addiction habit is leaning more towards the younger generation.Gender is considered to be statistically significant in term of smartphone's habit.A positive relationship between accessing the internet and messaging activity.

Results of several studies have suggested that smartphone addiction has negative effects on mental health and well-being. To contribute to knowledge on this topic, our study had two aims. One was to investigate the relationship between risk of smartphone addiction and satisfaction with life mediated by stress and academic performance. The other aim was to explore whether satisfaction with life mediated by stress and academic performance facilitates smartphone addiction. To identify test subjects, systematic random sampling was implemented. A total of 300 university students completed an online survey questionnaire that was posted to the student information system. The survey questionnaire collected demographic information and responses to scales including the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Data analyses included Pearson correlations between the main variables and multivariate analysis of variances. The results showed that smartphone addiction risk was positively related to perceived stress, but the latter was negatively related to satisfaction with life. Additionally, a smartphone addiction risk was negatively related to academic performance, but the latter was positively related to satisfaction with life. Stress mediates the relationship between smartphone addiction and satisfaction with life.Academic performance mediates the relationship b/w smartphone addiction & satisfaction with life.There is a zero order correlation between smartphone addiction and satisfaction with life.

Background Today, smartphones have acquired irreplaceable importance in human lives, connecting with the different corners of the world, storing large amounts of data, obtaining any desirable information, possible with a single touch. Being out of contact with a mobile device leading to anxiousness, nervousness, and discomfort is called nomophobia. The prevalence of nomophobia has been escalating at an alarming rate among the young generation. Objectives To assess the prevalence of nomophobia and its relationship with social interaction anxiety among the students of Chitkara University, Punjab. Methods A descriptive correlational study was carried out among 209 students of Chitkara University, Punjab, using a nomophobia questionnaire and social interaction anxiety scale. The convenience sampling technique was employed to select the study participants, and the data was collected through a google form. Descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software were applied to analyze the data. Results There were 52.15% males and 47.85% female students. All the students were having nomophobia. The majority of the students, i.e., 118 (56.5%), were moderately nomophobic, and 74 (35.4%) were severely nomophobic, whereas only 17 (8.1%) were mildly nomophobic. Nomophobia and social interaction anxiety had weak positive correlation (p = 0.001, r = 0.221). There was a significant association of nomophobia with the department of study, family income per month, working status of parents, and age at which smartphone ownership was obtained, and time in hours per day spent on using a smartphone. Conclusion There is an increasing prevalence of nomophobia among university students, and social interaction anxiety is a significant predictor. There is an urgent need to develop strategies towards prevention, early identification, and timely management of social interaction anxiety and nomophobia. Key Message The growing trend of use of information technology in day-to-day routines during the Covid-19 pandemic imposes many challenges like isolation from the real social world and addiction to being indulged in a virtual world. Attainment of mobile phones at an early age and increased duration of usage is a contributory factor in the development of nomophobia.

Nomophobia and cyber-bullying are of particular interest for their intrinsic interplay. This study aims to describe the association between the two phenomena. The data presented in this study derived from a large school-based population survey that included 2959 students in 12 middle schools in the (place omissed for double blind peer review metropolitan city of Naples, Italy). The survey included several questions for nomophobia phenomena (smartphone addiction (SA), Check the smartphone (CS), Phantom phone signal (PPS), and for cyber-bullying (victimization and perpetration). SA was associated with cyber-perpetration; CS was associated with both cyber-victimization and cyber-perpetration. PPS was associated with both cyber-victimization and cyber-perpetration. Correlation analyses confirmed the association of nomophobia and cyber-bullying with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Nomophobia and Cyber-bullying were widespread phenomena among adolescent population. Data on their interplay showed that nomophobia was associated with an increase in cyber-perpetration behaviours. Both phenomena are associated with emotional problems, hyperactivity, conduct problems and total problems. Therefore these situations should be assessed and targeted carefully in their intrinsic relationship and potential impact on psychopathological risk. Information interventions are needed and psychotherapeutic treatments should consider these findings. Due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, the direction of the relationships remains uncertain and will require longitudinal and intervention studies to determine.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of nomophobia and/or problematic mobile phone use on decision-making in nursing students. A cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample consisted of 124 nursing students. The Nomophobia Questionnaire, Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale and Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire were used for data collection. Regarding the results, the average total score of the Nomophobia Questionnaire was 69.50 ± 21.08, and the average total score of the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale was 83.60 ± 19.90 points. Positive correlations were found between the dimensions of nomophobia and the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale. Additionally, positive correlations were found between nomophobia and the dimensions of “buck-passing” (rs = 0.263; p = 0.017), procrastination (rs = 0.307; p = 0.011) and hypervigilance (rs = 0.284; p = 0.002) in regards to decision-making. As for the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale, a positive correlation was found between this scale and the procrastination dimension (rs = 0.128; p = 0.015). Problematic mobile phone use and/or nomophobia may have an influence on decision-making in nursing students. Levels of procrastination, hypervigilance and “buck-passing” in nursing students are affected by mobile phone use throughout their training. These factors may affect their academic performance, as well as their relationships with patients and other colleagues.

There is growing concern regarding problematic smartphone overuse. Practiced mindfulness, the state of being aware of the present moment, may protect against problematic smartphone use by reducing the strength of risk factors.We hypothesized that trait mindfulness can reduce the impact of risk factors on a) objective smartphone use and b) subjective problematic smartphone use.Our sample (n = 135, MHigher mindfulness was significantly associated with lower boredom proneness, impulsivity, and problematic use (F = 12.12, p .01). Hierarchical regression revealed that the positive relationships between nomophobia, and problematic use decreased as mindfulness levels increased. A similar protective effect was observed for boredom proneness, although the effect dissipated as impulsivity rose. A second regression revealed no significant predictors of weekly smartphone use.Effects of nomophobia and boredom proneness on problematic smartphone use diminish with increased mindfulness, but impulsivity may interfere with this. Risk and protective factors for 'addiction' appear unrelated to smartphone use frequency. Future research should examine benefits of mindfulness-based interventions in promoting emotional and cognitive self-regulation, focusing on those who use smartphones in dysfunctional ways.

Smartphones provide many advantages for people's daily life, which makes the phone become a valuable attachment object. Attachment to a smartphone may have negative psychological consequences, such as anxiety about being separated from the smartphone. Considerable research has been done on smartphone separation anxiety (or nomophobia). However, they are rarely concerned about the impact of smartphone activity on it. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of mobile activity on smartphone separation anxiety by emphasizing the uniqueness of the phone itself and the importance of the activity. The present study examined the anxiety levels of 1733 Chinese young adults (mean age = 19.13, SD = 1.28) in four imaginary scenarios in which they could not engage in mobile activity. Our study found that computers did not alleviate the separation anxiety that individuals experience when they interrupt their smartphone activity. Furthermore, smartphone separation anxiety may depend on the type of mobile activity currently being disrupted. The anxiety when interrupting online activities was more related to the unavailability of the phone network, and anxiety level in stopping offline activities was more associated with the unavailability of the phone power. These findings help to understand smartphone separation anxiety.

Nomophobia was investigated as a theoretical construct among young adults.Dimensions of nomophobia were identified and described.The Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) was devised and validated.The NMP-Q can be used as a measure of nomophobia.Nomophobia can be considered a situational phobia and included in DSM-5. Nomophobia is considered a modern age phobia introduced to our lives as a byproduct of the interaction between people and mobile information and communication technologies, especially smartphones. This study sought to contribute to the nomophobia research literature by identifying and describing the dimensions of nomophobia and developing a questionnaire to measure nomophobia. Consequently, this study adopted a two-phase, exploratory sequential mixed methods design. The first phase was a qualitative exploration of nomophobia through semi-structured interviews conducted with nine undergraduate students at a large Midwestern university in the U.S. As a result of the first phase, four dimensions of nomophobia were identified: not being able to communicate, losing connectedness, not being able to access information and giving up convenience. The qualitative findings from this initial exploration were then developed into a 20-item nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q). In the second phase, the NMP-Q was validated with a sample of 301 undergraduate students. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure for the NMP-Q, corresponding to the dimensions of nomophobia. The NMP-Q was shown to produce valid and reliable scores; and thus, can be used to assess the severity of nomophobia.

Background Nomophobia “no mobile phone” and phobia” is a pathological fear of being out of contact with a mobile phone, has no mobile networks, or has insufficient balance or battery. Purpose of the study To determine the prevalence of nomophobia, demographic factors affecting nomophobic behaviors, and the relationship between nomophobia and academic performance among university students in Oman. Methods A descriptive correlational study design was chosen to describe the prevalence of nomophobia among Sultan Qaboos University students. A convenience sampling technique was used to select 735 students based on defined inclusion criteria. Nomophobia was identified using a self-report instrument, the Nomophobia Questionnaire, which includes 20 Likert scale items rated from 1 (“strongly disagree”) to 7 (“strongly agree”). Descriptive analysis and a Pearson correlation statistical test were used to determine the possible relationship between nomophobia and academic performance. Results The prevalence of nomophobia among students was 99.33%, most with a moderate level of nomophobia. Students with severe nomophobia reported weak academic performance (p = .706), but this was not statistically significant. Conclusion This study found a high prevalence of nomophobia and a weak relationship with academic performance. More studies should be conducted in this area to inform policy on cellphones within academic premises, to avoid serious ill effects of chronic use.

Objectives: Nowadays, adolescents spend a lot of their time on smartphones. They find it difficult to go about their daily lives without using their smartphones. Losing a mobile phone or Wi-Fi connection can be distressing to anyone. This study examined the prevalence of nomophobia and smartphone addiction among Filipino adolescents and their association with adolescent lifestyle profiles (ALPs). Furthermore, gender and grade (i.e., junior vs. senior high school students) differences in nomophobia, smartphone addiction, and ALPs as well as their differences in four nomophobia groups and among participants with and without smartphone addiction are determined. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Pearson’s correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, independent samples t -test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted. Using an online survey (i.e., created using Google Forms), data were collected from 1,447 (boys: n = 580, girls: n = 867) junior and senior high school students in the Philippines during the academic year 2018–2019. The Nomophobia Questionnaire, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and Adolescent Lifestyle Profile-Revised 2 were used to measure nomophobia, smartphone addiction, and lifestyle profiles, respectively. Results: Only 0.5% ( n = 7) of the participants ( N = 1,447) did not have nomophobia. In contrast, 12.4% ( n = 180), 63.2% ( n = 915), and 23.8% ( n = 345) of them had mild, moderate, and severe nomophobia, respectively. Moreover, 62.6% (n = 906) of the participants had smartphone addiction. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that nomophobia and smartphone addiction were positively intercorrelated (r = .615; p < .01). Nomophobia was significantly related to overall ALPs ( r = .060; p< .05) and some of its subdomains, namely, positive life perspective, interpersonal relationship, and spiritual health. It was not correlated with health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, and stress management. Smartphone addiction was not significantly related to overall ALPs ( r = -.020; p > .05). However, positive life perspective and interpersonal relationship were significantly and negatively related to smartphone addiction. Both nomophobia and smartphone addiction were significant predictors of ALPs. Furthermore, there were significant gender differences in nomophobia and ALPs but not in smartphone addiction. Moreover, there was no significant grade difference in nomophobia, smartphone addiction, and overall ALPs. There was a significant difference in smartphone addiction and overall ALPs between the four nomophobia groups. Finally, those with and without smartphone addiction differed significantly in overall nomophobia, but not in overall ALPs. Conclusions: The role of nomophobia and smartphone addiction in ALPs were evident within the following subdomains: positive life perspective, health responsibility, physical activity, interpersonal relationship, nutrition, stress management, and spiritual health. Therefore, rules governing smartphone use should be enforced at home and in schools. Further, preventive measures should be implemented to avoid the exacerbation of nomophobia and smartphone addiction and promote a healthy lifestyle among adolescents.

We examined anxiety when wireless mobile devices were unexpectedly not available.Participants felt significantly more anxious over time.Heavy wireless mobile device users were more anxious than low or moderate users.Wireless mobile device dependency may cause anxiety when device is absent.Heavy wireless mobile device users may feel separation anxiety when device is absent. Overuse of wireless mobile devices (WMDs) may be associated with a form of psychological dependency, of which a prominent feature may be anxiety arising from separation from these devices. College students, who are among the most avid consumers of WMDs, might be susceptible to the negative effects of WMD overuse. The present study examined anxiety in American college students when their WMDs were unexpectedly not available. Upon arrival, approximately one half of the 163 participants were randomly assigned to have their WMDs removed from their possession; the other half was allowed to keep their WMDs but were required to turn them off and place them out of sight. Participants were forced to sit quietly with no distractions during the study. The state portion of the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was administered three times, 20min apart, beginning 10min after the participants entered the room. The results showed that participants felt significantly more anxious over time. However, this pattern was evident only with heavy WMD users and with moderate WMD users whose devices were taken away. Dependency upon WMDs, mediated by an unhealthy connection to their constant use, may lead to increased anxiety when the device is absent.

Smartphones have become necessities in people' lives. Along with its obvious benefits, however, the smartphone has other effects that are not all that glorious. This study investigates the dark side of the smartphone trend. We examine the link between psychological traits and the compulsive behaviors of smartphone users, and look further into the stress caused by those compulsive behaviors. We conducted an empirical study consisting of 325 participants and compared Structural Equation Modeling with competing models. The results suggest that compulsive usage of smartphone and technostress are positively related to psychological traits including locus of control, social interaction anxiety, materialism and the need for touch. Gender differences are also found in the aforementioned relationships. The results have practical implications to user-oriented smartphone design and operation companies as well as government agencies as they combat the social ills brought on by smartphones.

Objective. To determine the prevalence of nomophobia, the discomfort or anxiety experienced from being without a cellphone, among student pharmacists. Methods. A validated nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q) was administered to two groups of student pharmacists at two different Doctor of Pharmacy programs (N=192). Demographic and other information was collected including identified gender, year of birth, type of smartphone, and use of messaging services. Scores on the NMP-Q were used to classify respondents as absent of nomophobia (100 out of a maximum score of 140). Results. Of 224 eligible students, 192 (85.7%) responded to the survey. Mean nomophobia scores were statistically similar between programs. Most students’ scores were within the moderate nomophobia range (56.8%), while 24.5% were in the mild range and 18.2% were in the severe range. Score classifications were similar between schools. Overall, the data showed good internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of .95 for the combined group. Conclusion. Nomophobia is a relatively new psychological phenomenon, and little is known about its potential implications. The student pharmacists in our study all had NMP-Q scores consistent with some degree of nomophobia. Educators must continue to study smartphone use and help student pharmacists maximize the benefits of smartphones while avoiding the potential negative psychological consequences associated with their use.

As the penetration of mobile phones in societies increases, there is a large growth in the use of mobile phones especially among the youth. This trend is followed by the fast growth in use of online social networking services (SNS). Extensive use of technology can lead to addiction. This study finds that the use of SNS mobile applications is a significant predictor of mobile addiction. The result also shows that the use of SNS mobile applications is affected by both SNS network size and SNS intensity of the user. This study has implications for academia as well as governmental and non-for-profit organizations regarding the effect of mobile phones on individual's and public health.

Social media utilities have made it easier than ever to know about the range of online or offline social activities one could be engaging. On the upside, these social resources provide a multitude of opportunities for interaction; on the downside, they often broadcast more options than can be pursued, given practical restrictions and limited time. This dual nature of social media has driven popular interest in the concept of Fear of Missing Out – popularly referred to as FoMO. Defined as a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent, FoMO is characterized by the desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing. The present research presents three studies conducted to advance an empirically based understanding of the fear of missing out phenomenon. The first study collected a diverse international sample of participants in order to create a robust individual differences measure of FoMO, the Fear of Missing Out scale (FoMOs); this study is the first to operationalize the construct. Study 2 recruited a nationally representative cohort to investigate how demographic, motivational and well-being factors relate to FoMO. Study 3 examined the behavioral and emotional correlates of fear of missing out in a sample of young adults. Implications of the FoMOs measure and for the future study of FoMO are discussed.

Background: The increasing use of new technologies and virtual communication involving personal computers (PCs), tablets and mobile phones are causing changes in individuals' daily habits and behavior. We report the case of an individual with social phobia who developed a dependency on communication through virtual environments (i.e., nomophobia), and used a PC as a form of relating to the outside world to reduce stress and to avoid direct social relations. Nomophobia refers to the discomfort or anxiety caused by the non-availability of a mobile phone, PC or any another virtual communication device. Social phobia is described as an anxiety disorder of chronic evolution. Objective: To study nomophobia as a manifest behavior that might serve as an indication of a possible anxiety disorder. Methodology: The treatment consisted of the use of medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and the application of evaluation tools (interviews, scales, inventories and questionnaires). Results: The individual responded satisfactorily to medication and CBT treatment, which reduced his time using the PC and increased his exposure to real-life situations. Conclusion: Nomophobic behavior produces changes in daily habits and can reveal other aspects to be investigated, such as the presence of comorbid mental disorders.