EXAMINE THE LINK BETWEEN NOMOPHOBIA AND LONELINESS: EVIDENCE FROM UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (KP), PAKISTAN.

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Background: Nomophobia, or the fear of being without a mobile phone, has emerged as a growing concern in modern society, particularly among young adults. Loneliness, characterized by perceived social isolation, has also become prevalent among university students, exacerbated by digital overreliance. Despite the increasing use of smartphones, limited research has explored the link between nomophobia and loneliness, especially in the sociocultural context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This study aimed to investigate this relationship among university students. Objective: To explore the correlation between nomophobia and loneliness among university students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and examine potential gender differences in loneliness. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed. Data were collected from 377 university students aged 18–25 years using purposive sampling. An adapted questionnaire, including the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale, was utilized. Internal consistency was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.93 for NMP-Q and 0.85 for UCLA Loneliness Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and t-tests were conducted to analyze the data. Results: The mean score for nomophobia was 85.45 (SD = 21.27), and for loneliness, it was 53.29 (SD = 9.59). A significant positive correlation (r = 0.408, p < 0.01) was observed between nomophobia and loneliness. Gender analysis revealed no significant difference in loneliness between male and female participants (p > 0.05). Most participants reported distress when unable to access mobile phones or maintain social connections, indicating a behavioral and emotional dependence on smartphones. Conclusion: The study established a positive relationship between nomophobia and loneliness, emphasizing the psychological and social implications of excessive smartphone reliance. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the effects of nomophobia and loneliness among students, promoting healthier digital habits and mental well-being.