Relação entre a nomofobia, os comportamentos autolesivos e autoestima em adultos emergentes

Beatriz Rolo Henriques (Student)

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

Studies suggest that nomophobia is related to low self-esteem and the practice of selfinjurious behaviors. In this study we explore this relationship in emerging adults, since there are few studies on this relationship. We will also explore the differences in levels of nomophobia depending on gender, education, leisure activities and being in a romantic relationship. The sample is composed by 86 individuals aged between 18 and 20 years old (M = 19.03, SD = 0.80), who completed a sociodemographic and lifestyle questionnaire, the Nomophobia Questionnaire to European Portuguese, the Impulse, Self-harm and Suicide Ideation Questionnaire for Adolescents and the Rosenberg Selfesteem Scale. A moderate level of nomophobia was obtained (M = 72.57, SD = 26.89), with the dimension “Not being able to communicate” presenting a higher mean. In selfinjurious behaviors, the mean obtained was 3.33 (SD = 6.43), with the theoretical maximum being 42. Finally, in self-esteem, the mean value obtained was 19.22 (SD = 6.20), taking into account a theoretical maximum of 30. Females showed higher levels of nomophobia. Nomophobia presented a negative correlation with self-esteem and this, in turn, a negative correlation with self-injurious behaviors. Of the sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, we only found differences in the levels of nomophobia in people who practice leisure activities, with these having lower levels of nomophobia. In the future, it is important to reproduce this study with samples from other contexts and age groups.