PREVALENCE OF NOMOPHOBIA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH DIGITAL DEVICE USE AND TECH-INDUCED POST-EXERTIONAL MALAISE (TI-PEM) AMONG YOUNG ADULTS; A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: The rapid expansion of digital technology had transformed communication, learning, and entertainment among young adults. However, prolonged digital device use had increasingly been associated with psychological dependence and physical fatigue. Nomophobia and technology-induced post-exertional malaise represented emerging concerns, yet limited evidence was available regarding their prevalence and interrelationship among young adults. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of nomophobia and to examine its relationship with digital device use and technology-induced post-exertional malaise among young adults aged 18–35 years. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 352 young adults aged 18–35 years from academic settings. Data were collected using the Nomophobia Questionnaire, the Chalder Fatigue Scale, and a structured digital device-use questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, and correlation analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22. Result: Moderate nomophobia was reported by 52.8% of participants, while 28.7% exhibited mild and 18.5% severe levels. Moderate levels of technology-induced post-exertional malaise were observed in 50.9% of respondents. Android smartphones were the primary devices used by 69.9% of participants, and 66.2% reported more than four years of continuous digital device use. Daily screen exposure exceeding six hours was reported by 30.7% of participants. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated a substantial prevalence of nomophobia and technology-related fatigue among young adults. Prolonged screen exposure and long-term digital engagement were associated with increased psychological dependence and post-exertional malaise. Clinical Implications: These findings emphasised the importance of promoting healthy digital device use among young adults. Incorporating digital wellness awareness into educational and healthcare settings may help reduce technology-related fatigue and psychological dependence, while future research may explore targeted preventive strategies.