A Study to Assess the Level of Nomophobia among Students
of Selected Colleges in Nadiad City with a View to Distribute
Guideline

Arpita V; Aayushi P; Amisha P; Anjali P; Arjun V and Ashvin C

doi:10.23880/pprij-16000441

Psychology & Psychological Research International Journal Research Article 10 min read

A Study to Assess the Level of Nomophobia among Students of Selected Colleges in Nadiad City with a View to Distribute Guideline

Arpita V^*, Aayushi P, Amisha P, Anjali P, Arjun V and Ashvin C

^* Corresponding author

ISSN: 2576-0319 10.23880/pprij-16000441 Received: October 28, 2024 Published: November 11, 2024

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Keywords

Assess Level Nomophobia College Students Guideline

Abstract

Introduction: Nomophobia, the irrational fear of being without a mobile phone, was coined during a 2008 study by the UK Post Office and YouGov. This term highlights the anxiety experienced by mobile phone users, especially with the advent of smartphones. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the level of Nomophobia among students in selected colleges of Nadiad city and to determine the association between Nomophobia levels and selected demographic data. Methodology: A non-experimental descriptive research design was employed. The study involved 200 students from selected colleges in Nadiad city, chosen through non-probability convenient sampling. Data was collected using a Modified Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q). Results: Among the 200 students, 3 (1.5%) had an absent level of Nomophobia, 60 (30%) had a mild level, 115 (57.5%) had a moderate level, and 22 (11%) had a severe level. Significant associations were found between Nomophobia levels and demographic variables such as gender, monthly income, hours spent on mobile phones, frequency of notification checks, and preferred social media content. These associations were analyzed using the Chi-Square test. Conclusion: The study reveals varying levels of Nomophobia among college students in Nadiad. While many students were unaware of the term &amp;quot;Nomophobia,&amp;quot; a significant number experienced it. This underscores the need for targeted educational interventions to raise awareness about Nomophobia and its implications.

Introduction

Technology and its changes play a vital role in the life of an individual. The latest trend of the society is to adapt every change in the communication technology field. The mobile phones are blessing of this century. Mobile phones are considered as an integral communication device and become an important part of the society. It is not only a communication tool but also a mandatory social accessory.

Smart phones or mobile phones are mandatory for everyone to keep in touch with family, friends through using e-mails, messages and internet connectivity. Advancement in technology switched the trend completely and made mobile phone as depository for data, camera, and music player and also as a gaming gadget [1]. The mobile industry has experienced tremendous growth and innovation since the introduction of the first smartphone in 2007, with substantial technological improvements transforming the sector and dramatically changing how we interact, access information, and utilize mobile technology [2]. Currently, young people are familiar with developing, communicating, interacting, playing and having fun with other people through digital media. Some young people state that they prefer digital contact to physical contact [3]. Individual appear to prefer indirect communication and more revealing in virtual reality, because behind the screen make them feel more sheltered. In numerous cases, seeking confirmation through communication with other people leads to overuse of and dependence on the mobile phone [4].

Mobile phones have now become smartphones which has all the smart features to abide by the 21st century so called techno culture and social lives thus becoming an integral part of this generation, especially among the youngsters [5]. Smartphone has become essentials rather than accessories, due to their capacity to perform many tasks with features including advanced operating systems, touch screen, and internet access [6]. due to increasing technological advance, mobile phones (now referred to more commonly as “smartphones”) have become an indispensable tool, because they offer a variety of convenient functions such as internet surfing and a wide variety of application [7].

New technologies have become crucial parts of our lives. Smartphones, rapidly spreading worldwide, now play a vital role in social interactions, personal expression, information sharing, and skill development. They have transformed from optional gadgets to essential devices due to their advanced features like sophisticated operating systems, touch screens, and internet connectivity [8]. Overuse of smartphone among today’s generation has assumed an epidemic proportion [9]. In this technological spectrum, the Internet cannot be forgotten as a technology whose access has been enhanced with the expansion of mobile device. This has caused addiction to both mobile and internet access. These new addictions, typical of the digital era, trend to proliferate in economically developed regions, where citizens have the resources and means to have the necessary technology [10].

Results

College students frequently use the internet’s social media platform in ways that could have a detrimental effect on several aspects of their lives. Social media addiction is marked by an irresistible urge to constantly check and use social media platforms, an excessive preoccupation with online interactions, and a disproportionate allocation of time and energy towards social media, ultimately disrupting important areas of life, such as relationships, work, and personal well-being [11]. Young adults primarily utilize their smartphones for online activities such as internet browsing, video streaming, and social media engagement, with a focus on staying updated on various social networking sites [12].

No mobile phone phobia (Nomophobia) refers to the specific terms associated with the fear of losing one’s mobile phone and connectivity, which was first introduce in 2008 to examine anxiety among mobile phone users [13]. The term no-mobile-phone-phobia was coined during a 2008 study by the UK post office who commissioned YouGov a UK based research organization to evaluate anxieties experienced by mobile phone users. on this small electronic device since the appearance of smart phones [14].

Material and Methods

This descriptive study was conducted after institutional ethical committee approval. A Modified Standard Nomophobia Questionnaires was circulated to 200 college students from the selected colleges of Nadiad city by Non probability convenient sampling technique from 01/07/2024 to 03/07/2024. Written inform consent was obtained from all the participants, for Nomophobia questionnaires, the total minimum score is 20 and total maximum score is 140. The category was calculated as 20 indicates, absence of nomophobia level, 21 ≤ to < 60 Mild, 60 ≤ to < 100 Moderate, 100 ≤ to ≤ 140 Severe. The students were included Undergraduate and post graduate students of Microbiology and 2nd year BSc chemistry Students from J and J science college, Nadiad.

Sr no.	Demographic Data	Frequency	Percentage
1	Age in years
	A. 18-19 years	124	62%
	B. 20-21 years	65	32.50%
	C. 22-23 years	9	4.50%
	D. Above 23 years	2	1%
2	Gender	2	1%
	A. Male	99	49.50%
	B. Female	101	50.50%
	C. Transgender	0	0%
3	Residential area	0	0%
	A. Urban	69	34.50%
	B. Rural	131	65.50%
4	Types of family	131	65.50%
	A. Nuclear family	38	19%
	B. Joint family	158	79%
	C. Extended family	4	2%
5	Family monthly income	4	2%
	A. 5000-15000 Rs	74	37%
	B. 15001- 25000 Rs	50	25%
	C. Above 25000 Rs	76	38%
6	Marital status	76	38%
	A. Married	18	9%
	B. Unmarried	182	91%
	C. Widow/widower	0	0%
	D. Divorced	0	0%
7	Pursuing course	0	0%
	A. PG	14	7%
	B. UG	186	93%
8	Do you have your personal smartphone?	186	93%
	A. Yes	200	100%
	B. No	0	0%
9	Number of mobile phones?	0	0%
	A. 1	185	92.50%
	B. 2	12	6%
	C. More than 2	3	1.50%
10	Duration of using mobile phone?	3	1.50%
	A. < 1 hour	50	25%
	B. 1-2 hour	66	33%
	C. 2-3 hour	36	18%
	D. > 3 hours	48	24%
11	Monthly spent of your money on mobile recharge?	48	24%
	A. < 200 Rs	52	26%
	B. 201-400 Rs	112	56%
	C. 401-600 Rs	20	10%
	D. > 600 Rs	16	8%
12	How many times you frequently check your mobile phone for any notification?	16	8%
	A. 1-5 times in an hour	105	52.50%
	B. 6-10 times in an hour	46	23%
	C. 11-15 times in an hour	23	11.50%
	D. Constantly	26	13%
13	Content prefers on social media?	26	13%
	A. Motivational	25	12.50%
	B. News	11	5.50%
	C. Web-series	11	5.50%
	D. Comedy	8	4%
	E. Reels	15	7.50%
	F. All of the above	130	65%
14	Years of using mobile phone?	130	65%
	A. < 5 years	145	72.50%
	B. 5-10 years	27	13.50%
	C. > 10 years	28	14%
15	Aware of the term nomophobia?	28	14%
	A. Yes	45	22.50%
	B. No	155	77.50%

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of selected demographic variables of college students (n= 200).

Table 1 shows the demographic data of 200 students were normally distributed. In that, 124(62%) in 18-19 years, 101(50.5%) are female, 131(65.5%) are living in the rural area, 158(79%), are living in joint family, 76(38%) having above 25000 family monthly income, 182( 91%) were unmarried, 186(93%) of students were undergraduate,200(100%) students were having their personal smart phone, 185(92.5%) were having only 1 mobile phone, 66(33%) were using their mobile phone for 1-2 hours, 112(56%) were paying 201-400 rupees for their mobile phone recharge, 105(52.5%) students were frequently checking their mobile phone notification in 1-5 times in an hour, 130(65%) students prefer motivation, news, web-series, comedy and reels on social media platform, 145(72.5%) were using their mobile phone for less than 5 years, 155(77.5%) were unaware of term Nomophobia.

Level of Nomophobia	Frequency	Percentage
Absent	3	1.50%
Mild	60	30%
Moderate	115	57.50%
Severe	22	11%

Table 2: Frequency and distribution of level of nomophobia among college students.

Table 2 shows that in the distribution and frequency of level of nomophobia among college students, there are 3(1.5%) students having Absent level of nomophobia, 60(30%) students having mild level of nomophobia, 115(57.5%) students having moderate level of nomophobia, and 22(11%) students having severe level of nomophobia.

Graph 1: Shows the level of nomophobia among the students.

Demographic Variable		NOMOPHOBIA LEVEL
		Absent		Mild		Moderate		Severe		Total	DF	X2	TV	NS
		F	%	F	%	F	%	F	%	Total	DF	X2	TV	NS
Age	18-19	0	0%	38	19%	72	36%	14	7%	124	9	9.89	16.92	NS
	20-21	3	1.5 %	19	9.5%	37	18.5%	6	3%	65
	22-23	0	0%	3	1.5%	5	2.5%	1	0.5%	9
	Above 23	0	0%	0	0%	1	0.5%	1	0.5%	2
Gender	Male	3	1.5%	34	17%	56	28%	6	3%	99	3	8.672	7.82	S
	Female	0	0%	26	13%	59	29.5%	16	8%	101
	Trans-gender	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0
Residential area	Urban	1	0.5%	23	11.5%	37	18.5%	8	4%	69	3	0.70	7.82	NS
Residential area	Rural	2	1%	37	18.5%	78	39%	14	7%	131	3	0.70	7.82	NS
Family	Nuclear	0	0%	9	4.5%	24	12%	5	2.5%	38	6	2.601	12.59	NS
	Joint	3	1.5%	50	25%	88	44%	17	8.5%	158
	Extended	0	0%	1	0.5%	3	1.5%	0	0%	4
Monthly income	5,000-15,000 Rs.	0	0%	26	13%	43	21.5%	5	2.5%	74	6	12.84	12.59	S
	15,001- 25,000 Rs.	3	1.5%	13	6.5%	26	13%	8	4%	50
	Above 25,000 Rs	0	0%	21	10.5%	46	23%	9	4.5%	76
Marital Status	Married	0	0%	4	2%	13	6.5%	1	0.5%	18	3	1.975	7.82	NS
	Un-married	3	1.5%	56	28%	102	51%	21	10.5%	182
	Widow Widower	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0
	Divorced	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0
Pursuing course	PG	0	0%	3	1.5%	8	4%	3	1.5%	14	3	2.083	7.82	NS
Pursuing course	UG	3	1.5%	57	28.5%	107	53.5%	19	9.5%	186	3	2.083	7.82	NS
Number of Smart phone	1	3	1.5%	53	26.5%	109	54.5%	20	10%	185	6	3.823	12.59	NS
	2	0	0%	5	2.5%	5	2.5%	2	1%	12
	more than 2	0	0%	2	1%	1	0.5%	0	0%	3
Hours spent on Mobile phone	<1 Hour	3	1.5%	14	7%	32	16%	1	0.5%	50	9	20.492	16.92	S
	1-2 Hours	0	0%	21	10.5%	38	19%	7	3.5%	66
	2-3 Hours	0	0%	11	5.5%	22	11%	3	1.5%	36
	More than 3 Hours	0	0%	14	7%	23	11.5%	11	5.5%	48
Monthly Re charge	< 200 Rs	3	1.5%	13	6.5%	35	17.5%	1	0.5%	52	9	40.204	16.92	NS
	201- 400 Rs	0	0%	38	19%	63	31.5%	11	5.5%	112
	401- 600 Rs	0	0%	2	1%	9	4.5%	9	4.5%	20
	More than 600 Rs	0	0%	7	3.5%	8	4%	1	0.5%	16
Check notication in an Hours	1-5 times	1	0.5%	34	17%	68	34%	2	1%	105	9	36.62	16.92	S
	6- 10 times	2	1%	10	5%	27	13.5%	7	3.5%	46
	11-15 times	0	0%	7	3.5%	13	6.5%	3	1.5%	23
	Con-stantly	0	0%	9	4.5%	7	3.5%	10	5%	26
Content on Social- media	Motivational	0	0%	7	3.5%	17	8.5%	1	0.5%	25	15	38.817	24.99	S
	News	2	1%	2	1%	7	3.5%	0	0%	11
	Web-series	1	0.5%	1	0.5%	9	4.5%	0	0%	11
	Comedy	0	0%	4	2%	4	2%	0	0%	8
	Reels	0	0%	5	2.5%	8	4%	2	1%	15
	All of the above	0	0%	41	20.5%	70	35%	19	9.5%	130
Year of using Mobile- phone	< 5 Years	3	1.5%	45	22.5%	82	41%	15	7.5%	145	6	6.272	12.59	NS
	5-10 Years	0	0%	9	4.5%	17	8.5%	1	0.5%	27
	> 10 Years	0	0%	6	3%	16	8%	6	3%	28
Aware NMP	Yes	0	0%	14	7%	27	13.5%	4	2%	45	3	1.193	7.82	NS
Aware NMP	No	3	1.5%	46	23%	88	44%	18	9%	155	3	1.193	7.82	NS

Table 3: Association between Level of Nomophobia with selected demographic variables.

Table 3 shows that there is association of level of nomophobia with selected demographic variables. Gender, Monthly income, Hours spent on mobile phone, Frequent notification check on mobile phone, Content prefer on social media shows significant association with the scores but other variables don’t show any significant association. The association is done with the help of chi square test.

Discussion

The present study states that college students have moderate level of nomophobia suggesting that students are unaware about the term nomophobia but some students were aware of term nomophobia. A Study conducted by Kawalijeet Kaur had Conducted to assess level of nomophobia among students of selected colleges in Amritsar. The sample size consists of 100 students of selected college. A convenient sampling technique was used for the data collection. The results of this study shows that 11% of students were suffering from the mild level of Nomophobia, 53% of students suffering from moderate level of Nomophobia and 36% of students suffering from the severe level of Nomophobia [15]. Another study was done by Monika Thakur and Vijaya Bharti had conducted a study to assess the levels of nomophobia among nursing students in Kumarhatti - Solan. Descriptive Non-Experimental research design was used for the study, and 125 samples were selected by the non -probability convenient sampling technique. The data was collected by Google forms where the data collection tool was standardized NMP-Q. The results showed that highest number 83(66%) of nursing students lie in moderate level, 18(14.4%) students lie in mild level whereas 24% students lie in severe levels of nomophobia and not a single (0%) student lies in absence of nomophobia [16]. According to Binu Joe and Linson CC had conducted a descriptive study to assess the prevalence of nomophobia among school going children from Rajkot and Surendra Nagar districts of Gujarat. And the result of his study showed that out of 1145 participants which were selected by the convenience sampling technique 52.58% of the participants had moderate level of nomophobia, 32.58% had mild level of nomophobia, 14.40% had severe level of nomophobia and only 0.44% had no signs of nomophobia [17]. According Ravi Kumar, Supriya kumri et al. had conducted the study to determine the level of nomophobia in the Indian population aged between 15 and 35 years. Out of 2061, 74.8% of the respondents were moderate level of nomophobia, 18.9% were severe of nomophobia, and 6.3% were mild level of nomophobia [18].

Conclusion

According to finding of this study, maximum students were unaware of term nomophobia. The study highlights the assessment of level of Nomophobia among students of selected colleges. Although the majority of students in this study shows the moderate level of nomophobia. There are significant association between demographic variables like Gender, Monthly income, Hours spent on mobile phone, Frequent notification check on mobile phone, Content prefer on social media, while other demographic variables are not significantly associated with the help of chi square test. This emphasizes the need for targeted educational intervention in a form of guideline to improve the understanding level of the students regarding the term Nomophobia.

Limitation

Since the study focuses only on 200 college students in specific Nadiad city, the finding may not be applicable to the general population. The students who were present at the time of data collection, and the student who were willing to participate in the research study. The study might have been conducted within a limited timeframe which can impacted the depth of data collection and analysis, as a longer duration may allow for a comprehensive study. As a descriptive study the study only shows the level of nomophobia among the college students.

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the professional support in approval, data analysis and manuscript by editorial committee. Special thanks to all participants college students of study, all faculties who validate the tool, college principal to permitted us to conduct study in their college, and research guide for their constant support and instruction.

Competing of Interest

Authors have declared that no competing of interest exists.

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