The association between anxiety, activity performance and nomophobia in students

This study aimed to examine the association of nomophobia on activity participation and anxiety. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between March and June of 2024 with a sample of students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University. The Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were utilized for data collection. Of the 382 students who participated in the study, 93.2% were female. Female students demonstrated a mean score of 67.21 ± 16.93(min-max:20-100) on the NMP-Q scale, with a range from 20 to 100; a mean score of 6.65 ± 2.2424 (min-max:0.00-10.00) on the COPM, with a range from 0.00 to 10.00; and a mean score of 41.0 ± 10.67(min-max:20-68) on the STAI, with a range from 20 to 68. The findings of the correlation analysis revealed a significant, negative relationship between the level of activity performance among students and their levels of anxiety (rpb=-0.127, p < 0.005) and nomophobia (rpb=-0.147, p < 0.001). As the levels of nomophobia among students increased, there was a 19.7% decrease in performance levels (ß=-0.197; R² = 0.290), a 7.9% decrease in activity satisfaction levels (ß=-0.079; R² = 0.290), and a 6.9% increase in anxiety levels (ß=0.069; R² = 0.290). The findings of the study indicate that nomophobia in students negatively affects activity participation and leads to elevated anxiety levels. Given the high rate of mobile device use in the young population, it can be posited that a new public health concern is emerging. Occupational therapists can design activity programs that can enhance activity performance and reduce anxiety. They can also encourage students to participate in sports or artistic activities to improve peer interactions.