Nomophobia, Emotion Regulation, Loneliness, and Smartphone Use Among Adolescents: A Gratification-Compensatory Smartphone Use Theory Perspective

This study investigates the interplay between emotion regulation, loneliness, smartphone use, and nomophobia among adolescents, using the Gratification-Compensatory Smartphone Use Theory (CGT) as its foundation. The background highlights nomophobia as a growing concern, especially among adolescents, due to their high smartphone dependence and psychological vulnerability. However, research examining how loneliness and emotion regulation influence nomophobia in the Indonesian cultural context remains limited, creating a significant research gap. The study involved 355 high school students aged 16–18 from Yogyakarta, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via self-reported questionnaires and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results show that emotion regulation negatively influences smartphone use, and its effect on nomophobia is mediated by smartphone use. Conversely, loneliness has a direct positive impact on nomophobia and contributes indirectly by increasing smartphone use. The findings highlight that smartphone use intensifies nomophobia, with emotion regulation acting as a critical factor in moderating this dependency. Based on these findings, interventions focusing on enhancing emotion regulation skills, reducing loneliness, and promoting healthier smartphone habits are recommended to mitigate the risk of nomophobia. This research extends theoretical understanding by applying CGT and offers practical insights for designing culturally relevant psychological and educational interventions tailored to adolescents in Indonesia.