The conscious and compulsive connection - An exploratory investigation into potential predictors of nomophobia among Irish smartphone users

Abstract

The concept of Nomophobia is recognised among researchers when describing smartphone separation anxiety. This has been a subject of growing interest; however little research has been done into the phenomena’s correlational, or predicting, factors. This study intends to help fill this gap by exploring potential predictors of its occurrence. Firstly, it examined whether nomophobia is an experience recognized by sufferers; secondly who is most likely to experience it; and finally to establish if impulsivity levels could be a potential predictor of its occurrence. The study was conducted on 262 Irish smartphone users through self-administered surveys. The MPIQ and the BIS-11 were used to establish the presence of nomophobia and impulsivity levels. Perceptions of overuse and attentional impulsivity were the only positive predictors of nomophobia. Results also highlighted that contrary to prior research, 18-24-year olds were found to experience nomophobia at lower frequency to older cohorts.