Prevalence of Nomophobia and its Association with Loneliness, Self Happiness and Self Esteem among Undergraduate Medical Students of a Medical College in Coastal Karnataka

Abstract

Background: Revolution in technology with introduction of variety of smart phones has lead to increase in
mobile dependence. Increased use of smart phone seemingly has created issues and challenges for students.
The burden of this problem is now on a raise globally
Objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of nomophobia related to the use of smart phones among
undergraduate medical students and the association of nomophobia with loneliness, self happiness and selfesteem
among in them.
Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among 228 undergraduate students. 57 participants were
selected by simple random sampling technique from first, second, final year MBBS students and Interns
who were using smart phones. A pretested validated self administered, structured questionnaire was used to
collect general information, patterns of mobile phone use. Nomophobia, Loneliness, Self Happiness, Self
esteem were assessed by using Nomophobia Scale (NMP-Q), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Loneliness Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, respectively. Statistical
analysis was conducted using Chi-squared test, Mann Whitney U test for various associations. Karl Pearson
correlation coefficient was used to correlate the scores of the scales used.
Results: Median age of the participants was 21 years. 36.8% of the participants were males and 63.2%
were females. It was observed that, 100% of the participants had nomophobia. Moderate nomophobia was
found to be 53.5%, while 11.4% had severe and 35.1% had mild nomophobia. Duration of smart phone
use in a day and frequency of checking the smart phone showed statistically significant association with
severity of nomophobia. Nomophobia was found to be positively correlated with loneliness and negatively
correlated with self happiness and self esteem, however only correlation of nomophobia and self esteem was
statistically significant.
Conclusion: This study highlights the high prevalence of nomophobia amongst medical students and reflects
the relation of nomophobia and psychological well being.