Prevalence of Nomophobia and Its Impact on Academic Performance Among Respiratory Therapy Students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background Nomophobia has been highly prevalent among health discipline students. However, there is no available data on the prevalence of nomophobia among respiratory therapy (RT) students in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional survey using the nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q) was conducted and distributed using a convenience sample of RT students through an online platform (Survey Monkey) between September and November 2022. Results Overall, 1428 RT students, with males accounting for 773 (54%), responded to the online survey. The prevalence of nomophobia among RT students was 97.3% (1390). The mean (±SD) of the total NMP-Q items scores was 62 (±22), indicating a moderate level of nomophobia among the RT students. Female RT students had significantly higher nomophobia scores than male RT students (63 (47–80) vs 59 (43–75); p <0.001)). Single RT students had significantly higher nomophobia scores than married RT students (62 (46–78) vs 46 (37–64); p <0.001)). RT students who were living outside the family home had significantly higher nomophobia scores than RT students who were living with their family (66 (54–78) vs 60 (44–77); p = 0.001)). RT students with a GPA of 4.50 to 5.00 had the highest nomophobia score (63 (46–79); p = 0.005)). RT students who were in their third year had the highest nomophobia score (66 (48–80); p <0.001)). RT students who reported no academic warnings had the highest nomophobia score (63 (48–80); p <0.001)). RT students who spent ≥ five hours studying per week had the highest nomophobia score (64 (51–80); p <0.001)). Conclusion Nomophobia is common among RT students, with the majority experiencing a moderate level. Being female, single, living outside the family home, and having a higher academic performance were risk factors associated with higher nomophobia levels.

Prevalence of Nomophobia and Its Association with Academic Performance Among Physiotherapy Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross- Sectional Survey

“…These findings are relatively consistent with a recent study by Aldhahir et al that examined a sizable sample (n=1428) of respiratory therapy students in Saudi Arabia and revealed that nomophobia was prevalent in nearly 97% of them, with around 48% of them experiencing moderate levels of nomophobia. 13 Corroborating our findings, many recent studies carried out among undergraduate medical students in Brazil and India indicated that approximately 99% of the entire population experienced nomophobia, with around 64–67% of the overall participants having a moderate level of nomophobia. 10 , 26 , 27 Similarly, other related studies among university students in India and Ghana have shown a prevalence rate estimated at 96–99%, with 59% of the total respondents enduring a moderate level of nomophobia.…”

“… 17 Additionally, it has been reported that higher academic performance was associated with higher nomophobia scores. 13 , 18 However, no previous study has been conducted and has reported on the prevalence of nomophobia among physiotherapy students, and the extent of its association with academic performance in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of nomophobia and assess its association with academic performance of physiotherapy students in Saudi Arabia.…”

Nomophobia (No Mobile Phone Phobia) and Psychological Health Issues among Young Adult Students

“…Given this, future studies should assess psychophysiological markers to relate these to the experience of nomophobia. Further, a psychiatric classification requires a fully unambiguous terminology, which, however, is not the case so far: besides ‘nomophobia’ [ 1 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], others use ‘smart phone addiction’ [ 5 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 29 , 30 ] or ‘problematic or excessive smart phone use’ [ 6 , 11 , 31 , 32 ]. Fifth, a nosological category needs a clear description of the possible differential diagnostic overlap, which remains unresolved so far.…”

“…In this context, nomophobia (no mobile phone phobia) is considered a modern age-specific anxiety for not being able to communicate, for losing connectedness, for not being able to access information, and for giving up convenience [ 1 ]. The literature is not consistent as regards the wording and the underlying theoretical psychological concepts, in that some are talking about nomophobia [ 1 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], while some claim that excessive smart phone use is considered a smart phone addiction [ 5 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 29 , 30 ] or problematic or excessive smart phone use [ 6 , 11 , 31 , 32 ]. Further, to make the point in the case, nomophobia and excessive smart phone use were associated with higher scores for emotional loneliness and insomnia among a sample of 773 students (mean age: 25.95 years; 59.6% females) [ 29 ].…”

The effect of emotion regulation strategies on nomophobia in college students: The masking role of resilience

“…For example, psychological resilience reduces the negative impact of mobile phone addiction on sleep quality [ 9 ]. However, nomophobia has increasingly received attention from researchers [ 10 , 11 ]. Nomophobia is an emerging concept closely tied to technological advances, referring to the irrational anxiety or fear that regular mobile phone users exhibit when their phone battery dies or is not immediately available due to the fear of missing messages or being unable to contact others [ 12 ].…”