The Effectiveness web-based Educational Program on Optimal Use of Smartphones among Students with Nomophobia based on Self-Efficacy Theory: The Role of the Medical Librarian

Abstract

Background and Objective: Nomophobia is defined as the fear of being out of mobile phone contact and is considered a phobia of the modern age. The current study explored the effectiveness of the medical Librarian's web-based educational program on optimal use of smartphones among students with nomophobia based on self-efficacy theory. Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study applied random controlled clinical trial and before-after Design groups with a follow-up method. The population included all students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. Of the population, 98 students with high score nomophobia were selected as a sample. They were divided into two groups, control, and intervention, randomly. The intervention group received a web-based educational program, plus an electronic pamphlet. Data were collected in two steps. SPSS software was used to analyze data. Results:The results indicated that the nomophobia score in an intervention group reduced significantly (P<0.001), just two weeks after the intervention (54.1±16.20) in comparison to the before (78.3±22.11). Also, the average score of self-efficacy increased remarkably (P<0.001), after the intervention (36.3±4.20) than before (30.8±4.79). The score of nomophobia and self-efficacy showed a significant difference between the control and intervention groups. Conclusion: Health-based educations, especially web-based educations, can be considered a good solution during the pandemics for target audiences. The useful web-based educational program could have improved the recognition of the students toward nomophobia and increase their self-efficacy.

Developing a model of symptoms of nomophobia in students based on attachment style, media literacy and locus of control with the mediation of Internet addiction

“…The findings of this study showed that media literacy has an effect on the symptoms of nomophobia. This finding is in line with the study of Khosravi et al (2021) andDastghib Shirazi et al (2021). This finding can be explained in this way that Bandura, as the founder of the self-efficacy theory, believes that a person's assessment of his abilities in a specific situation has a strong influence on a person's decision-making in choosing an activity and insisting on it.…”

“…Media literacy training reduces information anxiety (Imanzadeh, Karimi, and Farajpour-Banab, 2019) and reduces the consequences of cyberspace addiction and nomophobia (Shirafken et al, 2020). In a study, Khosravi et al (2021) found that providing web-based health-oriented education by considering the audience's needs can positively affect reducing nomophobia in students. In the study of Dasghib Shirazi et al (2021), the existence of a relationship between media literacy and the phenomenon of mobile phone phobia was confirmed.…”