Associations between Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Nomophobia: Mediated By Self-Control and Smartphone Addiction among University Students

Abstract

The current study explored the association among the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, nomophobia (fear of being without a smartphone), smartphone addiction, and self-control among students at AJK University. It also examined how these factors vary across sociodemographic factors like cohort and gender identity. A sample of 300 students from various departments participated in the research. They completed questionnaires that included the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Scale (BPNSS), the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS), the Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV), and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NQ), comprising a total of 37 items. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). The analysis demonstrated a meaningful negative correlation between the fulfillment of fundamental psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) and nomophobia. Moreover, a substantial positive association was proved between smartphone addiction and nomophobia, while self-control was positively linked to the fulfillment of fundamental psychological needs and negatively related to nomophobia. Gender and age differences were also observed. Female students reported a higher need for relatedness compared to male students, while nomophobia and smartphone addiction were more prevalent among students aged 18–22 than those aged 23 and older. The results suggest that when basic psychological needs are fulfilled, individuals demonstrate better self-control, which in turn helps reduce nomophobic tendencies. This highlights the importance of fostering psychological well-being as a strategy to address smartphone addiction and its related anxieties in today’s digital age.