Nomophobia Mediates Relationship Between Problematic Social Media Use/Smartphone Use and Psychological Distress Among University Students

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by a team of scientists from University Putra Malaysia has shed light on the psychological impact of excessive social media and smartphone use on university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, published in Psychology, Health & Medicine, explored the mediating effect of nomophobia (fear of being without one's mobile phone) in the relationship between problematic social media use/problematic smartphone use and psychological distress among university students.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study recruited 622 Malaysian university students through an online survey and used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the data.
  • Problematic social media use/problematic smartphone use was found to be positively related to nomophobia, which in turn was a significant mediator between these variables and psychological distress.
  • Nomophobia was identified as a key factor in increasing psychological distress among university students, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue in future interventions.
  • The findings suggest that nomophobia plays a crucial role in mediating the relationship between problematic social media use/problematic smartphone use and psychological distress, and that future research should focus on examining these relationships longitudinally to inform effective interventions for improving psychological well-being.

The study's authors, including Wan Ying Gan, Serene En Hui Tung, Wai Chuen Poon, and others, emphasized the need for further research to better understand the relationship between social media use, nomophobia, and psychological distress, particularly in the context of young adults navigating modern technology.

Statistics:

  • 622 Malaysian university students participated in the online survey.
  • The study used a combination of self-report measures, including the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (SABAS), Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMPQ), and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21).
  • Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data.
  • The study found that 61.2% of participants reported experiencing nomophobia, while 56.1% reported experiencing problematic social media use and 63.5% reported experiencing problematic smartphone use.
  • The study's findings suggest that addressing nomophobia could be a critical component of interventions aimed at reducing psychological distress among university students.

Sources:

  • The mediating effect of nomophobia in the relationship between problematic social media use/problematic smartphone use and psychological distress among university students. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 2025:1-17.
  • University Putra Malaysia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dept. of Nutrition.
  • Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2-4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RN, Oxon, England.