Study finds high prevalence of nomophobia among students

A new study conducted at Sri Guru Ram Das (SGRD) College of Nursing, Vallah has revealed a high prevalence of nomophobia — the fear of being without a mobile phone — among students, raising concerns about its impact on health and well-being.

The study, led by researcher Gurnyamat Kaur under the guidance of Dr Amandeep Kaur Bajwa and Gurjeet Kaur, surveyed 348 female students. Using a standardised questionnaire, the study found that more than 90 per cent of the participants suffered from moderate to severe levels of nomophobia.

According to the findings, 51.1 per cent of the students displayed moderate nomophobia, 39.4 per cent severe nomophobia and only 9.5 percent mild symptoms. Most of the students reported using mobile phones primarily for social media (57.5 per cent), while 38.8 per cent cited educational purposes.

The health impacts were notable. Physiological effects included reduced physical activity (49.1 per cent), headaches (46.6 per cent) and insomnia (31.9 per cent). On the psychological front, more than half (52 per cent) admitted to experiencing loneliness, while significant proportions reported feeling anxious, annoyed, or depressed. Psychosocial impacts included avoidance of social interaction, with 45.4 per cent reporting trouble in communication and 43.1 per cent experiencing reduced social contact.

The research also highlighted associations between nomophobia and certain demographic and behavioural factors. The participants showed significantly higher levels of dependency on their phones. Moreover, students who checked their phones fewer than 10 times a day and those using only two to three apps were found to have statistically significant associations with higher nomophobia levels.

Speaking about the implications, the researchers stressed that nomophobia is emerging as a public health concern, especially among young people in professional courses. “Excessive reliance on smartphones is not only affecting physical health but also leading to psychological and social isolation,” the report noted.

To address the issue, an informational booklet was distributed among students, raising awareness about healthy mobile phone usage and strategies to manage dependence. The study recommends that mental health professionals, including nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists, must be vigilant in identifying early signs of nomophobia and guiding students toward appropriate interventions.

The research concluded that urgent measures are needed to curb the rising trend of smartphone dependency. “Awareness campaigns, counselling and structured digital detox programmes can go a long way in helping students regain balance between technology use and healthy living,” said Dr Amandeep Kaur Bajwa.