The Relationship Between Nomophobia and Levels of Anxiety and Depression Among Female University Students

Abstract

Background: Nomophobia, defined as the fear of being without a mobile phone, has emerged as a growing psychological concern among university students. The rapid integration of smartphones into academic and social life may contribute to increased emotional dependency, especially among female students. However, limited research has examined the impact of nomophobia on mental health in Saudi Arabia.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of nomophobia and examine its relationship with anxiety and depression among female students at the College of Education, King Khalid University.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 150 female undergraduate students using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and the Arabic version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression were performed using SPSS.

Results: The majority of students exhibited moderate (57.3%) or severe (30.7%) levels of nomophobia. High levels of anxiety and depression were also observed, with 73.3% of students reporting moderate to extremely severe anxiety and 65.3% experiencing similar levels of depression. Nomophobia scores were significantly correlated with anxiety (r = 0.63) and depression (r = 0.58). Regression analysis confirmed that nomophobia was a significant predictor of both anxiety (β = 0.63, p < 0.001) and depression (β = 0.58, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Nomophobia is highly prevalent and strongly associated with psychological distress among female education students. Targeted interventions are needed to address mobile dependency and promote student well-being