Smartphone addiction, social media use, and nomophobia among Turkish nursing students: a cross-sectional study

Problematic smartphone use is a growing behavioral health concern among university students. Nomophobia, defined as anxiety or discomfort when mobile phone access is unavailable, may indicate technology-related psychological vulnerability. Nursing students may be particularly vulnerable due to academic demands, frequent smartphone use, and reliance on digital communication. However, the relationship between smartphone addiction, nomophobia, and their predictors requires further investigation in this population. This study aimed to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and nomophobia and to identify significant predictors of nomophobia among Turkish nursing students. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 296 undergraduate nursing students during the 2022–2023 academic year. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the Smartphone Addiction Scale, and the Nomophobia Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Smartphone addiction was positively and moderately correlated with nomophobia ( r = 0.544, p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression model was statistically significant and explained 47.0% of the variance in nomophobia scores (R²= 0.470). Higher smartphone addiction scores significantly predicted higher nomophobia levels (B = 1.109, β = 0.493, p < 0.001). Age (B = 2.107, β = 0.138, p < 0.05), monthly income (B = 0.002, β = 0.211, p < 0.001), daily sleep duration (B = 1.850, β = 0.094 p < 0.05), and specific social media usage characteristics (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) were also significant predictors of nomophobia. Structural equation modeling further supported this relationship, indicating that smartphone addiction positively and significantly predicted nomophobia (β = 0.62, p < 0.001) and explained 38% of its variance (R²= 0.38). Nomophobia was moderately associated with smartphone addiction among nursing students and may reflect a broader pattern of technology-related behavioral vulnerability. Early identification of problematic smartphone use and educational interventions addressing healthy smartphone habits may help reduce nomophobia and support students’ well-being in nursing education settings.