DOI:- https://doi.org/10.64880/shikshasamvad.v3i4.41

Author(s): Garima Verma¹, Abha Singh², Ahmad Abdullah³

Abstract

Nomophobia, defined as the fear or anxiety experienced when individuals are unable to access or use their smartphones, has emerged as an important psychological concern among young adults in the digital era. The increasing reliance on smartphones for communication, education, entertainment, and social networking has contributed to excessive smartphone dependence, raising concerns about its impact on mental health. This comprehensive review aims to synthesise the current evidence on the psychological consequences of nomophobia among young adults. Relevant peer-reviewed studies were critically reviewed to examine the relationship between nomophobia and anxiety, depression, stress, sleep quality, academic performance, self-esteem, loneliness, and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). The findings consistently indicate that higher levels of nomophobia are associated with greater psychological distress, poor sleep quality, reduced academic performance, and lower psychological well-being. The review also identifies psychosocial factors, including low self-esteem and FoMO, as important contributors to smartphone dependence. However, most existing studies are cross-sectional and primarily involve university students, which limits causal inference and generalizability. The review emphasizes the need for longitudinal and intervention-based research to better understand the mechanisms underlying nomophobia. Promoting digital well-being, responsible smartphone use, and early psychological interventions may help reduce the adverse psychological consequences of excessive smartphone dependence among young adults.

Keywords: Nomophobia; Smartphone Dependence; Mental Health; Anxiety; Depression; Young Adults.

Cite this Article: 

Garima Verma¹, Abha Singh², Ahmad Abdullah³, “The Psychological Impact of Nomophobia on Young Adults: A Comprehensive Review” Shiksha Samvad International Open Access Peer-Reviewed & Refereed Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, ISSN: 2584-0983 (Online), Volume 03, Issue 04, Pp.389- 397, June-2026. Journal URL: https://shikshasamvad.com/