Presenting a Structural Model of Nomophobia Based on Emotional Self-Awareness Mediated by Psychological Distress in Students
Keywords:
Nomophobia, Emotional Self-Awareness, Psychological Distress, Structural Equation Modeling, StudentsAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to explain a structural model of nomophobia based on emotional self-awareness mediated by psychological distress among university students.
Methodology: A descriptive–correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed. The statistical population included students of the Faculty of Islamic Education (Department of Psychology and Counseling) at Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, during the second semester of the 2023–2024 academic year. A total of 250 students were selected through convenience sampling. Data collection instruments included the Nomophobia Questionnaire (Yildirim & Correia, 2015), the Emotional Self-Awareness Scale (Grant et al., 2002), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (Kessler et al., 2002). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS22 and AMOS, and model fit indices were examined.
Findings: Emotional self-awareness significantly predicted psychological distress (β = -0.37, p ≤ 0.001) and nomophobia (β = -0.54, p ≤ 0.001). Psychological distress had a positive direct effect on nomophobia (β = 0.65, p ≤ 0.001). The indirect effect of emotional self-awareness on nomophobia through psychological distress was significant (β = -0.24, p ≤ 0.001). Fit indices including χ²/df = 2.25, RMSEA = 0.071, GFI = 0.99, CFI = 0.97 confirmed good model fit.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that emotional self-awareness reduces nomophobia both directly and indirectly by decreasing psychological distress. Enhancing emotional skills may therefore help reduce nomophobia among university students.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Moeen Ghanizadeh Khajeh Pasha (Author); Mohsen Mansoubifar; Mohammad Reza Belyad, Masoumeh Zhian Bagheri, Javid Peymani (Author)
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