Prediction of Nomophobia Based on Shyness, Loneliness and Anxiety in Shiraz Teenagers

Abstract

Background: Various factors can be associated with nomophobia in teenagers due to their sensitive age during puberty. Establishing effective communication and social relations is one of the most important concerns for teenagers and young people. Methods: The present applied study is conducted to predict nomophobia based on shyness, loneliness and anxiety among teenagers in Shiraz. This study is descriptive cross-sectional research in terms of method and time frame of data collection. This study’s statistical population includes the teenagers of Shiraz, among which 150 were randomly selected. Four standard questionnaires (shyness scale, loneliness scale, anxiety scale and nomophobia scale) were used to collect research data. Iranian researchers have already translated, localized and validated these questionnaires. The validity and reliability of all four questionnaires have been confirmed. The multiple regression method has been used to test the research hypotheses and predict nomophobia. Results: The results have shown that shyness, loneliness and anxiety explain 36% of the variance of nomophobia scores. According to the results, shyness can positively and significantly predict nomophobia (p=0.001, β=0.362). Loneliness can also positively and significantly predict nomophobia (p=0.001, β=0.302). In addition, anxiety can also positively and significantly predict nomophobia (p=0.005, β=0.269). Conclusions: Shyness generally had the strongest prediction, and anxiety had the weakest. In addition, the avoidance component can positively and significantly predict nomophobia. The shyness component in the presence of strangers can also positively and significantly predict nomophobia. Therefore, loneliness, anxiety and shyness can positively and significantly predict nomophobia.