Are you a nomophobe?

An Iowa State University study has revealed that what has often been called “smart phone addiction” is in fact a situational phobia of being without your phone, called “nomophobia”.
This phobia isn’t so much a fear of being without the mobile device itself, but rather, a fear of losing our ability to be instantly connected with family and friends, as well as an endless well of information. Instant access to our loved ones and to information we need is a great thing, and something we didn’t have before smartphones—at least, not to the extent that they offer.
And since it’s such a good thing, some people can’t stand the thought of being without it.
This video from ISU explains.

Do any of these statements apply to you?
Caglar Yildririm, a Ph.D. student in human computer interaction at ISU and lead author of the study, along with Ana-Paula Correia, associate professor of education, identified four dimensions of this phobia, publishing their findings in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.
In identifying these dimensions of nomophobia, the researchers devised a questionnaire. Study participants were asked to respond to statements about smart phone habits on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). A higher overall score meant more severe nomophobia.
Are you worried that you may have a problem with nomophobia? You can look at the questionnaire used in the study and find out for yourself just how uncomfortable (or not) the idea of being without your phone makes you.
According to ISU, these are the statements from the questionnaire:

1. I would feel uncomfortable without constant access to information through my smartphone.
2. I would be annoyed if I could not look information up on my smartphone when I wanted to do so.
3. Being unable to get the news (e.g., happenings, weather, etc.) on my smartphone would make me nervous.
4. I would be annoyed if I could not use my smartphone and/or its capabilities when I wanted to do so.
5. Running out of battery in my smartphone would scare me.
6. If I were to run out of credits or hit my monthly data limit, I would panic.
7. If I did not have a data signal or could not connect to Wi-Fi, then I would constantly check to see if I had a signal or could find a Wi-Fi network.
8. If I could not use my smartphone, I would be afraid of getting stranded somewhere.
9. If I could not check my smartphone for a while, I would feel a desire to check it.

If I did not have my smartphone with me:

1. I would feel anxious because I could not instantly communicate with my family and/or friends.
2. I would be worried because my family and/or friends could not reach me.
3. I would feel nervous because I would not be able to receive text messages and calls.
4. I would be anxious because I could not keep in touch with my family and/or friends.
5. I would be nervous because I could not know if someone had tried to get a hold of me.
6. I would feel anxious because my constant connection to my family and friends would be broken.
7. I would be nervous because I would be disconnected from my online identity.
8. I would be uncomfortable because I could not stay up-to-date with social media and online networks.
9. I would feel awkward because I could not check my notifications for updates from my connections and online networks.
10. I would feel anxious because I could not check my email messages.
11. I would feel weird because I would not know what to do.

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Feature Image: Thinkstock