Nomophobia: An Embark of New Psychopathology

Description

Page: 344-346

Meghna Sharma and Bijender Singh (Department of Psychology, M. D. University, Rohtak, Haryana)

Nomophobia, or the fear of being without one’s mobile or smartphone, has become a pervasive issue in modern society. This review-based study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on nomophobia, including its definition, prevalence, causes, and consequences. This review study focuses on studies published between 2010 and 2021 and concludes with a discussion of clinical implications and future directions for research. The review discovered that nomophobia is a developing issue, particularly among young people, and is associated with a range of negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and reduced academic and occupational performance. From a clinical psychology perspective, depression, anxiety, and stress have been studied as contributing factors to nomophobia and there is a proposal to classify nomophobia as a psychiatric disorder in the DSM-5. The causes of nomophobia are complex and include a range of individual, social, and technological factors. The review also discusses several interventions that have been developed to address nomophobia, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and smartphone addiction management programs. Overall, this study highlights the need for further research and intervention to address the negative impacts of nomophobia on individuals and society.