Examining the Relationship between Nomophobia and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 10 Studies Involving 12,043 Participants
Authors:
Khalid Mohammed Alghuthayr
, Rakan H. Hamzah
, Othub S. Albalawi
, Mohammed A. Binjabr
, Idrees S. Alalawi
, Fatima A. Hamidaddin
, Saad M. Alotaibi
, Turki M. Alomar
, Haitham Jahrami
Abstract
Background:
This comprehensive review investigates the distinct relationship between nomophobia and depression, aiming to isolate their association. While prior research has explored the collective impact of nomophobia on various psychological problems, this study focuses on highlighting the specific effects of nomophobia on depression.
Methods:
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement. Ten studies comprising 12,043 participants were included. A random-effects meta-analysis and linear regression analysis were performed to assess prevalence rates and the association between moderate to severe nomophobia and depression.
Results:
The pooled prevalence of moderate to severe nomophobia was 63.2% (95% CI: 51.00%–73.86%), while 26.2% of participants (95% CI: 19.37%–34.36%) reported depression. Linear regression analysis revealed no direct linear relationship between moderate to severe nomophobia and depression.
Conclusion:
This study suggests that the link between depression and nomophobia is not direct. Nomophobia may be more closely associated with anxiety-related constructs rather than depressive symptomatology.
Keywords: systematic review and meta analysis, nomophobia, smartphones, anxiety disorder, depression, moderate to severe nomophobia
Pubmed Style
Khalid Mohammed Alghuthayr, Rakan H. Hamzah, Othub S. Albalawi, Mohammed A. Binjabr, Idrees S. Alalawi, Fatima A. Hamidaddin, Saad M. Alotaibi, Turki M. Alomar, Haitham Jahrami. Examining the Relationship between Nomophobia and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 10 Studies Involving 12,043 Participants . AMEM. 2026; 09 (March 2026): -. doi:10.24911/amem.15-2636
Publication History
Received: February 15, 2026
Revised: February 17, 2026
Accepted: February 17, 2026
Published: March 09, 2026
Authors
Khalid Mohammed Alghuthayr
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
Rakan H. Hamzah
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
Othub S. Albalawi
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
Mohammed A. Binjabr
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
Idrees S. Alalawi
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
Fatima A. Hamidaddin
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
Saad M. Alotaibi
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
Turki M. Alomar
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
Haitham Jahrami
Ministry of Health, Manama, Bahrain Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain