TELEPHOBIA IN ACADEMIA: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON COMMUNICATION ANXIETY AMONG EARLY-CAREER RESEARCHERS

Telephobia, characterised by an intense fear of making or receiving telephone calls, is increasingly recognised as a significant communication anxiety disorder affecting diverse professional populations, with early-career researchers (ECRs) in academia emerging as a particularly vulnerable group. This paper critically reviews existing literature on telephobia and communication anxiety among ECRs, examining its prevalence, contributing factors, theoretical underpinnings, and implications for professional development and mental health. Through a thematic synthesis of recent empirical and theoretical studies, this review highlights how telephobia is shaped by the intersection of psychological predispositions, rapid technological shifts, cultural norms, and systemic institutional shortcomings. The findings indicate that telephobia not only compounds the well-documented mental health pressures already experienced by ECRs but also constrains their professional trajectories by limiting engagement in networking, mentorship, and collaborative research. This study argues that telephobia must be understood not merely as an individual psychological condition but as a culturally and institutionally produced phenomenon requiring systemic intervention. The paper concludes with theoretically grounded recommendations for institutional policy reform and directions for future empirical research.