Abstract:

The aim of the current study is to investigate the prevalence and indicators of nomophobia among pre-service teachers. Participants of the study were 448 pre-service teachers who were studying various fields of teaching in a Turkish state university. Prevalence of nomophobia was investigated through a recent scale. The scale was comprised of 20, seven point Likert items converging on four factors. Researchers examined the data along gender, department, daily control frequency, carrying charging device, controlling smart phones in the morning, using smart phones before to sleeping and leaving smart phones on while sleeping variables. Average nomophobia score was 3.99 out of 7. Average scores for four factors were as follows: not being able to access information 4.64, losing connectedness 3.96, not being able to communicate 4.51 and giving up convenience 3.99. Females (X=4.14) represented significantly higher (t=3.23; p<.001) nomophobia scores compared to males (X=3.72). Furthermore, females surpassed males on not being able to access information (t=2.28; p<.05), losing connectedness (t=2.99; p<.05) and not being able to communicate (t=5.52; p<.001) factors. Moreover, daily smartphone control frequency suggested significant differences among groups where frequent controllers (more than 49 times) surpassed less frequent controllers (1-16 times, 17-32 times and 33-48 times). Investigation of the resting variables also revealed significant differences. Participants who approved bringing charging devices, controlling their smartphones in the morning and using their smartphones prior to sleeping surpassed the others at all scales. However, leaving smartphones on while sleeping was only significant for communication purposes. Findings suggest pre-service teachers are representing moderate nomophobia levels. Factor level investigations reveal participants primarily use smart phones for accessing information and communication purposes. Gender, smart phone control frequency, carrying charging devices, controlling smart phones in the evening and using smart phones before sleeping are significant indicators of nomophobia.

Keywords:

Nomophobia, preservice teachers, indicators.