The prevalence of nomophobia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Nomophobia (no mobile phone phobia) is a term used to describe discomfort or anxiety experienced when individuals are unable to use or access their mobile phones. Although not formally recognized in the DSM-5 or ICD-11, nomophobia has gained increasing research attention. The present study systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the global prevalence of nomophobia, based on 43 studies (n = 36,656 participants) from 18 countries. Only studies using validated self-report instruments, primarily the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), were included. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted to determine the sources of heterogeneity. Results indicated that nomophobia is widespread, with 26 % of participants reporting mild symptoms, 51 % moderate symptoms, and 21 % severe symptoms. Importantly, these figures reflect self-reported levels of distress rather than clinical diagnoses. Higher prevalence was observed among university students and young adults. The wide variation across regions and instruments suggests nomophobia is influenced by cultural, behavioral, and technological contexts. Despite ongoing debates regarding whether nomophobia is an anxiety disorder, these findings highlight the critical need for precise definitions and continued exploration of its psychological correlates.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Mobile phone dependency; NMP-Q; Nomophobia; Smartphone addiction; Systematic review.