Does nomophobia predict impulsivity in basic education students? A school mental health perspective

Cayo E.E.T.; Chura-Quispe G.; Estrada-Araoz E.G.; Mamani-Apaza W.W.; Manrique-Jaramillo Y.V.; De La Cruz B.D.L. · Gaceta Medica de Caracas (2025) · DOI: 10.47307/gmc.2025.133.4.12

Resumen

Introduction: Continuous internet connectivity can lead to an irrational fear of being without a mobile phone, known as nomophobia, which has been identified as an emerging mental health problem among adolescents. This phenomenon may affect emotional and cognitive self-regulation, fostering impulsive responses that impact psychological well-being and academic performance. Objective: To determine whether nomophobia predicts impulsivity in basic education students. Methods: A quantitative study with a relational-causal and descriptive-comparative design was conducted. The sample consisted of 421 Peruvian school students selected through non-probabilistic sampling. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) were applied. Results: Nomophobia predicts student impulsiveness (β = 0.106; p < 0.05), with a greater impact on cognitive impulsiveness. Loss of connection (β = 0.214; p < 0.01) was the strongest predictor and was significantly associated with all three dimensions of impulsivity. The “inability to access information” dimension (β = 0.185; p < 0.01) predicted total, motor, and cognitive impulsivity. In addition, male students showed higher levels of impulsivity and nomophobia compared to female students (p<0.01). Conclusions: Student nomophobia predicts the impulsive attitudes of basic education students. Therefore, it is necessary for school authorities to develop extracurricular workshops and propose educational strategies to reduce mobile phone dependence.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional del Altiplano; Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios; Universidad Privada de Tacna; Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann; Escuela de Posgrado Newman