Investigation the Role of Personality Characteristics and Loneliness in Predicting Nomophobia in Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of personality characteristics and loneliness in prediction of nomophobia among university students. The method of this research was applied, descriptive and cross-sectional analysis. The statistical population of this study included all of students of Payam-e-Noor University in Zanjan City, in 1396-97 academic year. The sample was comprised of 373 participants selected using the random sampling method (117 male participants and 256 female participants. To achieve the research objectives, the Five Neo Factors (NEO-FFI) questionnaire, the Loneliness Questionnaire (SELSA), and Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMPQ) were used. The collected data were analyzed using regression analyses. The results showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, loneliness, and nomophobia (p<%1); however, the relationship between openness and nomophobia was not significant. Also, the results indicated that 15 percent of total variance of nomophobia in the use of mobile phones was predicted by loneliness and personality characteristics, meaning that loneliness and personality traits seemed to increase nomophobia symptoms in students.