Risk factors and its relationship with problematic use of smartphone in Jordan adolescents

Abstract

Adolescence is a life stage characterized by the adoption of new behavioral patterns, particularly concerning technology use. One notable outcome of this transition is the increased utilization of mobile communication devices, especially smartphones. This pilot study investigates problematic smartphone use among adolescents, emphasizing two primary psychological risk factors: Nomophobia (the fear of being disconnected from the internet) and FOMO (the fear of missing out on peer communication and experiences). The sample consisted of 201 participants, including adolescents aged 11 to 16, divided into two subgroups: 11–13 and 14–16. Data were collected via Google Forms during school hours with Jordanian students, with an average completion time of 15 minutes. The reliability indices of the adapted scales were found to be highly acceptable, confirming the effectiveness of the English-to-Arabic translation. Correlational analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between the FOMO and nomophobia scales. However, the correlations between problematic smartphone use and both nomophobia and FOMO were significant but negative. Furthermore, no significant age group differences were observed for FOMO, although differences were present for the other two variables.