INFLUENCE OF FATHER’S EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF NOMOPHOBIA IN YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined how father's educational level has an impact on the development of Nomophobia (No-Mobile-Phone Phobia) in adolescents and youth within a Pakistani context. A convenient sampling approach recruited 700 university students (age 18–25) from the University of Gujrat, Pakistan, for study. A demographic form and the reliable Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) (alpha = .95) served as measurement tools. Descriptive analysis revealed the noted sample's vulnerability, as the majority of students were 18–21 years old, utilized Android devices, and were actively engaged with social networking, resulting in a moderate level of overall nomophobia. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) then compared nomophobia scores across 4 levels of father's educational attainment (Matric, Intermediate, Graduation, or Masters). The ANOVA demonstrated a significant overall effect (F(3, 696) = 3.804, p = .010). Follow-up analyses using Tukey HSD post hoc tests identified the source of trauma associated to father's education: young adults whose fathers had a Matriculation level of education reported significantly lower levels of nomophobia than those whose fathers attained an Intermediate level of education (Mean Difference = -6.86, p = .015). No other pairwise tests were statistically significant. This finding suggests a counterintuitive threshold of risk, where the lowest dignified level of education (Matriculation) may act as a protective factor against increased risk of nomophobia.