Culture and nomophobia: The role of vertical versus horizontal collectivism in predicting nomophobia

This study aims at contributing to literature by investigating the role of espoused culture in influencing nomophobia. In the present study, the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) and Individualism-Collectivism (INDCOL) Scale were used to measure nomophobia and horizontal/vertical collectivism. The psychometric properties of the scales were examined against the data collected from 485 undergraduate students in Turkey (Mean age = 22.11, SD = 3.84). A structural equation modeling approach was used to test the hypothesized relationships. Results suggested that the relationship between vertical collectivism and nomophobia was significant and positive (.31), while the relationship between horizontal collectivism and nomophobia was not significant (and negative; -.15). The points raised in the present study should be taken into account when designing treatment and prevention programs in dealing with nomophobia.