Abstract
This paper aims to compare the prevalence of nomophobia between people belonging to the “X and Y” generation and people belonging to the “Z and Alpha” generation among students, employees, and professors of the University of Science and Culture in the second semester of the academic year 2024-25 and to identify its causes in Iran. For this purpose, a theoretical synthesis of the four dimensions of nomophobia and the theory of dependency was used. The study subjects consisted of 384 people which were selected from the statistical population of7600 people.  The data were collected by using validated Nomophobia Scale (NMP-Q) by Yildirim and Correa (2015) and analyzed using SPSS software. The difference across the categories of independent variables on each of the dependent variable (nomophobia) for each generation was examined by ANOVA. According to findings, Generations Alpha and Z are more dependent on smartphones than Generations X and Y. Among the factors of Nomophobia, "lack of access to information" had the highest mean (21.86), but the factor “loss of connection" with value of 0.048 for partial Eta squared played the main role in the intergenerational difference in the components of Nomophobia. Women and students were more vulnerable to nomophobia than men and other occupational groups. Increasing age and job experience can also play a role in reducing nomophobia. The study demonstrated differences between generations’ score on nomophobia and concerns about "lack of access to information" is the biggest contributor to nomophobia.
Key words: Nomophobia, Intergenerational comparison, Smart phones, Survey, NMP-Q
 
 
 
Introduction
This paper aims to compare the prevalence of nomophobia between people belonging to the “X and Y” generation and people belonging to the “Z and Alpha” generation among students, employees, and professors of the University of Science and Culture in the second semester of the academic year 2024-25 and to identify its causes in Iran. Nowadays, a large number of people use smartphones. These habits have become common behavioral traits, increasing the likelihood of smartphone dependence and fear of not being able to access it, something called nomophobia. Nomophobia is the intense anxiety caused by leaving home without a smartphone or losing contact with it. Literature review shows the prevalence of nomophobia with varying severity among 15.2 to 99.7 percent of research participants, and its prevalence in Iran is also noteworthy. Given the increasing penetration of the Internet and the growth of younger generations in a saturated media environment, the level of nomophobia appears to vary across generations. Considering (1) the impact of Nomophobia on various areas of an individual's life, including distraction, decreased interpersonal relationships and social interactions, decreased concentration, and poor academic performance, and (2) the importance of the age factor in the amount and manner of smartphone use, comparisons between different generational groups in Iran are necessary. Therefore, this article studies the prevalence of Nomophobia in Iran with an intergenerational approach.
 
Theory
For this purpose, a theoretical synthesis of the four dimensions of nomophobia and the theory of dependency was used. The four dimensions of nomophobia are: (1) fear or nervousness for not being able to communicate with other people; (2) fear of not being able to connect; (3) fear of not being able to have immediate access to information; and (4) fear of the renunciation of the comfort provided by mobile devices. These dimensions show that a person's behavior with a smartphone is organized based on their needs. Sandra Ball-Rokeach and Melvin DeFleur in 1976 introduced a systematic approach to the study of the effects of mass media on audiences and of the interactions between media, audiences, and social systems that was named media dependency theory. According to this theory, people depend on the media to satisfy two needs: 1- The need to have information (knowledge of developments and events in modern society) 2- The need to not know and escape from reality (humorous programs in leisure time, etc.). The greater the needs, the greater the level of dependence, but this dependence may be so great that it makes separation from the medium difficult and daunting. This state of dependence and fear of not having access to a smartphone is nomophobia. Humans rely on media for a variety of informational, social, and psychological needs. This dependence can vary depending on the individual's circumstances, needs, and culture and social situation. In the context of nomophobia, this theory helps us understand which needs are more important and prioritized among Iranian participants and what role generational differences play in this. Generation refers to people born in the same historical period; those who live in the same social and historical environment and have similar events and experiences of youth. The importance of media in the behavior of age groups is so great that some researchers have separated generational groups based on media. Based on the literature, the combination of Generation Z and Alpha, who are considered digital natives, use digital technologies, including smartphones, in a different way and to a different extent than other generations. According to this theoretical framework, two factors influencing the incidence of Nomophobia are generational affiliation and dependence on the phone to fulfill needs, and according to the theoretical model, needs are related to the dimensions of Nomophobia.
 
Materials and Methods
The study subjects consisted of 384 people which were selected from the statistical population of7600 people.  The data were collected by using validated Nomophobia Scale (NMP-Q) by Yildirim and Correa (2015) and analyzed using SPSS software. The difference across the categories of independent variables on each of the dependent variable (nomophobia) for each generation was examined by ANOVA.
 
Discussion and Result
According to findings, the incidence of nomophobia in the Alpha - Z generation is higher at the “moderate” and “severe” levels. While most people belonging to the X - Y generation are at the low level (no nomophobia) in terms of the severity of nomophobia. Based on the findings, it seems that mobile phone addiction and nomophobia are higher among the Z - Alpha generation -than among the X- Y generation. Generations Alpha and Z are more dependent on smartphones than Generations X and Y. Among the factors of Nomophobia, "lack of access to information" had the highest mean (21.86), but the factor “loss of connection" with value of 0.048 for partial Eta squared played the main role in the intergenerational difference in the components of Nomophobia. Women and students were more vulnerable to nomophobia than men and other occupational groups. The severity of nomophobia among students ranged from moderate (59%) to severe (18.3%). Also, in all four dimensions, men had the lowest average and women had the highest average. Increasing age and job experience can also play a role in reducing nomophobia.
 
Conclusion
concluding the Generations Alpha - Z had higher levels of nomophobia compared to Generations X - Y. These results can be explained by the lifestyle and level of interaction of these generations with technology. The study demonstrated differences between generations’ score on nomophobia and concerns about " fear of not being able to have immediate access to information " is the biggest contributor to nomophobia. The results showed that although “fear of not being able to have immediate access to information” has the highest average based on the participants’ self-reports, “fear of not being able to connect” has the highest impact in terms of the impact of factors in causing nomophobia. The effect size indicates the impact and contribution of each dimension in the creation and severity of this issue. Therefore, it can be stated that “fear of not being able to connect” is the most important reason for the generational difference in the field of nomophobia. In line with media dependency theory, both the need for access to information and leisure play a role in the fear of losing a smartphone.