Are You A Nomophobe? Find Out Here

Without having to complete this questionnaire, we already know that we’re guilty of some major Nomophobia, otherwise known as a fear of being without our phones. So widespread has this affliction become, researchers have now put a name to it and even devised a set of questions to help you determine whether or not you too are a sufferer.

As you can imagine, this behavioural issue has become an almost inevitable by-product of our hyper-connected, information-obsessed lives, but at which point will we decide it’s time to take a step back? We’ve already reported on countless studies that have linked our digital addictions with increased anxiety, weight gain, poorer sleep, higher stress levels, the list goes on.

For those who are a little unsure or in total denial about their mobile phone addiction, an Iowa State University study will tell you in minutes whether or not you’re a nomophobe, and hopefully encourage you to reconsider your daily phone habits.

Published in the Journal of Computers In Human Behaviour, PHD student Caglar Yildirim along with his fellow researchers observed four dimensions of this contemporary phobia: not being able to communicate, losing connectedness, not being able to access information and giving up convenience. Quite simply, you must respond to the following statements on a scale of one, where you strongly disagree, to seven, where you strongly agree. The higher the number you wind up with, the greater your Nomophobia.

I would feel uncomfortable without constant access to information through my smartphone.
I would be annoyed if I could not look information up on my smartphone when I wanted to do so.
Being unable to get the news (e.g., happenings, weather, etc.) on my smartphone would make me nervous.
I would be annoyed if I could not use my smartphone and/or its capabilities when I wanted to do so.
Running out of battery in my smartphone would scare me.
If I were to run out of credits or hit my monthly data limit, I would panic.
If I did not have a data signal or could not connect to Wi-Fi, then I would constantly check to see if I had a signal or could find a Wi-Fi network.
If I could not use my smartphone, I would be afraid of getting stranded somewhere.
If I could not check my smartphone for a while, I would feel a desire to check it.

If I did not have my smartphone with me:

I would feel anxious because I could not instantly communicate with my family and/or friends.
I would be worried because my family and/or friends could not reach me.
I would feel nervous because I would not be able to receive text messages and calls.
I would be anxious because I could not keep in touch with my family and/or friends.
I would be nervous because I could not know if someone had tried to get a hold of me.
I would feel anxious because my constant connection to my family and friends would be broken.
I would be nervous because I would be disconnected from my online identity.
I would be uncomfortable because I could not stay up-to-date with social media and online networks.
I would feel awkward because I could not check my notifications for updates from my connections and online networks.
I would feel anxious because I could not check my email messages.
I would feel weird because I would not know what to do.
The only information we’re missing is the ideal, healthy number under which we should find ourselves.

What number did you arrive at?

Study