The Effect of Emotion Dysregulation, Affect, Boredom, and Social Context on State Nomophobia among University Students: An Experience Sampling Study (State Nomophobia)

Authors : Özge Enez, Özden Yalçınkaya Alkar

Pages : 415-445

Doi:10.26650/SP2023-1302449

View : 14 | Download : 15

Publication Date : 2024-12-16

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study aimed to examine whether state-based psychological constructs (emotion dysregulation, positive affect, negative affect, boredom, satisfaction with the social context) and trait-based psychological constructs (nomophobia, emotion dysregulation, positive affect, negative affect, boredom proneness) predict state nomophobia. This study also examined the variation of daily nomophobia scores during the week and the difference between nomophobic and non-nomophobic individuals. The experience sampling method was used because it allows simultaneous evaluation of the internal and situational determinants of the research variables as the data are collected within the real-world context. Two groups were used (non-nomophobia/nomophobia; N = 42). Data were collected from university students using standard measurement tools and momentary assessments for a week via the PIEL Survey smartphone application. In this 2-level study, the level 1 analysis was based on 1679 observations and the level 2 analysis was based on 42 observations. The random intercept and slope model and the growth curve model were used. The results showed that state-based psychological constructs predicted state nomophobia, but trait-based psychological constructs failed to predict it (except trait nomophobia). Daily nomophobia scores decreased throughout the week. The decrease in the nomophobia group was slower, and their daily scores were higher than those in the non-nomophobia group. The findings suggest that momentary assessments should be used to make inferences about the determinants of state nomophobia experienced in daily life. As far as is known, there has been no experience sampling study examining state nomophobia. Determining the factors that may cause nomophobia may provide scientific insight into the content of programs developed for the prevention and treatment of nomophobia. An in-depth investigation of nomophobia using momentary assessments along with retrospective assessments may provide a more holistic understanding of nomophobia and a new perspective for future nomophobia studies.
Keywords : Can sıkıntısı, deneyim örnekleme yöntemi, duygu düzenleme güçlüğü, duygulanım, nomofobi