Investigation of adolescents and their mothers in terms of nomophobia.

Abstract

Background: Nomophobia (NoMP) is the fear of being unable to interact with others via mobile phones and is a current topic in adolescents` mental health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between NoMP in adolescents and their mothers` level of NoMP.

Methods: The levels of depression, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms, NoMP, and perceived parental emotional availability were examined.

Results: One hundred fifty-five adolescents (60% girls) were included in the study with their mothers. Ninetythree (60%) adolescents (67.7% girls) and 64 (41.3%) mothers were classified as nomophobic. There was a positive correlation between the NoMP levels of adolescents and their mothers. Nomophobic girls perceived less paternal support. All psychopathologic symptoms were higher in the nomophobic mothers. There was no difference between nomophobic and non-nomophobic adolescents in terms of maternal psychopathologies.

Conclusions: We suggest that parental effects should be investigated during the assessment of NoMP, especially in adolescent girls. The phone usage habits of mothers and their relationship with their adolescent children were closely associated with adolescent NoMP.