Psychological and occupational factors associated with nomophobia among healthcare professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Nomophobia is an emerging phenomenon with potential effects on mental health and professional performance. In the healthcare field, smartphone use is frequent for both personal and work-related reasons; however, the evidence regarding its prevalence and associated factors is heterogeneous, making it difficult to draw integrated conclusions. This study explores the prevalence of nomophobia and analyzes its relationship with sociodemographic, psychological, and occupational variables among healthcare professionals through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, with the protocol registered with PROSPERO (CRD420261329317). A search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest without time restrictions for quantitative observational studies involving healthcare professionals that assessed nomophobia using validated instruments. Data were extracted on sociodemographic characteristics, prevalence, severity, and psychological and occupational associations. A correlational meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Eighteen published studies were included, with sample sizes ranging from 112 to 1,083 participants, mainly nursing professionals. The prevalence of nomophobia was high, generally at mild-to-moderate levels. It was consistently associated with younger age and less professional experience, and showed positive associations with stress, anxiety, fear of missing out, and neuroticism, and negative associations with mindfulness, self-efficacy, well-being, and clinical decision-making. Evidence regarding occupational variables was limited. The meta-analyses indicated a significant association with occupational stress, a negative association with decision-making, and a positive association with well-being. Nomophobia is common among healthcare professionals and is mainly associated with psychological variables relevant to well-being and clinical performance.