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International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management

A Peer-Reviewed, Open-Access International Journal Supporting Multidisciplinary Research, Digital Publishing Standards, DOI Registration, and Academic Indexing.
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ISSN: 3108-1754 (Online)
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Volume 02, Issue 10

Published on: October 2026

NOMOPHOBIA AMONG YOUNG ADULTS: ASSESSING THE FEAR OF BEING WITHOUT A MOBILE PHONE.

Saarah Shekasan Sadiya Shariff Sneha Chawan Tanvi Pharande Suparna Deepak

DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, PILLAI COLLEGE OF ARTS, COMMERCE AND SCIENCE (EMPOWERED AUTONOMOUS), NEW PANVEL, NAVI MUMBAI, INDIA.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i10.006

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Abstract

Background: Nomophobia describes distress or anxiety associated with being unable to access or use a mobile phone. The present study assessed the severity of nomophobia and its relationship with smartphone-use characteristics using the 20-item Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q). Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was analyzed. The dataset contained 229 responses, of which 226 consenting responses were included. The NMP-Q uses a 7-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 20 to 140; higher scores indicate greater severity. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, mean ± standard deviation, Cronbach’s alpha, cross-tabulation, chi-square tests, and Spearman correlation were performed. Results: The mean total NMP-Q score was 83.61 ± 21.83. Moderate nomophobia was observed in 133 participants (58.8%), severe nomophobia in 57 (25.2%), and mild nomophobia in 36 (15.9%); no participant scored in the absent category. The highest item mean was for concern that family or friends could not reach the participant (Item 11; mean 4.99 ± 1.69), followed by anxiety about losing contact with family/friends (Item 13; 4.82 ± 1.68). Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.923). Nomophobia severity was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.020), daily smartphone-use category (p = 0.034), keeping the smartphone throughout the day (p = 0.013), and previous anxiety when the smartphone was unavailable (p < 0.001). Daily usage category showed a small positive Spearman correlation with total NMP-Q score (ρ = 0.225, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Moderate and severe nomophobia symptoms were common in this sample and were linked to several smartphone-use behaviors. The findings support the need for awareness of healthy smartphone habits, while recognizing that NMP-Q scores represent self-reported symptoms rather than a clinical diagnosis.

Keywords: nomophobia; smartphone use; Nomophobia Questionnaire; NMP-Q; smartphone dependence; cross-sectional survey

How to Cite this Paper

Shekasan, S., Shariff, S., Chawan, S., Pharande, T. & Deepak, S. (2026). Nomophobia Among Young Adults: Assessing the Fear of Being Without a Mobile Phone.. International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, <i>02</i>(10), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i10.006

Shekasan, Saarah, et al.. "Nomophobia Among Young Adults: Assessing the Fear of Being Without a Mobile Phone.." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management, vol. 02, no. 10, 2026, pp. 1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i10.006.

Shekasan, Saarah,Sadiya Shariff,Sneha Chawan,Tanvi Pharande, and Suparna Deepak. "Nomophobia Among Young Adults: Assessing the Fear of Being Without a Mobile Phone.." International Journal of Creative and Open Research in Engineering and Management 02, no. 10 (2026): 1-9. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijcope.v2i10.006.

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  • •Peer Review Type: Double-Blind Peer Review
  • •Published on: Oct 03 2026
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