Revisiting Nomophobia: Emotional and Relational Regulation Through Smartphones in Adolescence and Young Adulthood

Smartphone use among adolescents and young adults is often framed as problematic, particularly in relation to nomophobia. However, such perspectives may overlook the developmental and relational contexts in which smartphone use occurs. This study examined how Filipino young people with moderate to severe nomophobia experienced smartphone use within their emotional and relational lives.

A qualitative multiple-case study, guided by a constructivist perspective, was conducted in 2024 with 12 Filipino participants aged 18-22 years (6 female, 6 male). Participants completed the NMP-Q, ASQ, and ICQ as descriptive case measures, took part in semi-structured interviews, and four joined a focus group discussion. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis with within- and cross-case comparison.

Participants described smartphones as accessible tools for distraction, emotional relief, connection, private processing, and online support. Phones also carried personal and relational meaning, including being described as extensions of the self. Smartphone use varied across contexts: for some, it supplemented interpersonal support; for others, it became more central when direct support felt limited or emotionally exposing. Participants also moved between interpersonal and more self-directed forms of coping while regulating their smartphone use.

Experiences commonly characterized as nomophobia may, for some young people, be intertwined with emotional and attachment-relevant processes rather than dysfunction alone. Developmentally, smartphones may become part of how young people negotiate increasing independence while continuing to rely on relationships for emotional support and regulation. Smartphone use may therefore be better understood through its function, relational context, flexibility, and degree of impairment.