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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 11, No. 11
Publication Date: November 25, 2024
DOI:10.14738/assrj.1111.17952.
Seifert, R. A., Avena, N., Rabas, A., & Domingo, A. (2024). Examining the Impact of Smartphone Dependency on Anxiety and
Depression Symptoms Among Individuals Aged 25-35 Years Old: A Quantitative Study. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal,
11(11). 247-255.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Examining the Impact of Smartphone Dependency on Anxiety and
Depression Symptoms Among Individuals Aged 25-35 Years Old:
A Quantitative Study
Rachel Anne Seifert
Touro University Worldwide Alumni
Nicole Avena
Touro University Worldwide
Audrey Rabas
Touro University Worldwide
Aldwin Domingo
Touro University Worldwide
ABSTRACT
Nomophobia is characterized by a pervasive anxiety experienced when an
individual is separated from their smartphones. Prior research has documented the
prevalence of nomophobia along with the impact of nomophobia in both anxiety
and depression for samples of college or university aged individuals. In contrast,
there is only scarce or emerging research on the prevalence and mental health
impact (anxiety and depression) of smartphone dependency among adults aged
between 25 and 35 years old in the year 2020. The target age of participants for this
quantitative study was chosen because they would have been the early adopters of
smartphones when smartphones were initially available for the general population
use starting in 2007. This research study showed that 64% of the sample of 25 and
35 years old participants had a diagnosable level of Nomophobia. Moreover, this
research study showed that corresponding increases in self-reported Nomophobia
scores among 24-35 year old participants had a corresponding increase in both
their self-reported anxiety and depression scores. The research study concludes by
proposing further longitudinal research on the effects of Nomophobia, further
examination of the causal relation between the variables examined in this study,
and recommending educational policies that encourage digital balance for using
smartphone use among 24-35 year olds.
Keywords: Nomophobia, Smartphone Dependency, Anxiety, Depression.
INTRODUCTION
Based on the recent research literature, nomophobia is characterized by a pervasive anxiety
experienced when an individual is separated from their smartphones (Rodríguez-Garcíaet.al.,
2020, Samaha et.al., 2019, Yildirim & Correia, 2015). This fear often manifests as agitation,
irritability, and panic, reflecting the deep-seated dependency on smartphone technology.
Nomophobia is not merely a trivial concern but a significant psychological issue that can impact
an individual's daily functioning and mental health. To provide a historical and sociological
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Seifert, R. A., Avena, N., Rabas, A., & Domingo, A. (2024). Examining the Impact of Smartphone Dependency on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
Among Individuals Aged 25-35 Years Old: A Quantitative Study. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(11). 247-255.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1111.17952
smartphones are evident when habitual smartphone use occurs, followed by withdrawal
symptoms when the device is taken away. Neurobiological research indicates that smartphones
stimulate the brain's reward system, reinforcing compulsive usage and dependence (Turel &
Bechara, 2016). This stimulation can create a cycle of anxiety and stress when individuals are
separated from their smartphones. As with other addictions or dependency, withdrawal
symptoms brought on by having a smartphone device taken away may cause significant
discomfort that may lead to anxiety and depression (Oulasvirta et al., 2012).
Purpose of the Study
Nearly all of the existing research literature on the impact of smartphone dependency on
mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, focuses on adolescents and college or
university-aged students. In contrast, there is only scarce or emerging research on the
prevalence and mental health impact (anxiety and depression) of smartphone dependency
among adults currently aged between 25 and 35 years old. The target age of participants for
this study was chosen because these would have been the early adopters of smartphones when
smartphones were initially available for the general population to use starting in 2007 (i.e the
initial market launch of the Iphone) (Lee, 2014). This study used the Beck Depression Inventory
(BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scales in measuring the dependent variables of
depression and anxiety, respectively. The Beck Inventories are measurement tools that have
been well-validated and used as screening or diagnostic tools for identifying elevations of
depression and anxietyamong mental health clients by mental health professionals for decades
(Fydrich et.al. 1992, Wang & Gorenstein, 2013). To measure the independent variable of
smartphone dependency, the researchers used the validated Nomophobia Questionnaire
(NMP-Q) developed by Yildirim and Correia (2015). Figure 1 below summarizes the conceptual
framework of the current research study.
Figure 1: Conceptual Framework
Research Questions
1. What is the prevalence (in percentage) of smartphone dependency as measured by the
Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) with a sample of 25–35-year-old adults?
2. Is there a linear relationship between smartphone dependency severity as measured by
the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and the experience of anxiety severity as
measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory among a sample of 25–35-year-old adults?
3. Is there a linear relationship between smartphone dependency severity as measured by
the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and the experience of depression severity as
measured by the Beck Depression Inventory among a sample of 25–35-year-old adults?