EC Psychology And Psychiatry

Background: Nomophobia is defined as a fear of having no mobile phone. Also, burnout is one of the most common psychological problems among medical professionals.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the aim of this study was to investigate relationships between nomophobia and work-related burnout among medical professionals in Saudi Arabia.

Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 315 medical students and physicians who live in Saudi Arabia answered the study survey, which was distributed via social media platforms. The questionnaire comprised demographic questions, a nomophobia questionnaire, and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory questions adapted with modifications from a previous study. Simple linear regression, t-test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyze the data.

Results: The total mean nomophobia score was 55.2 (SD = 18.48), and the mean of Copenhagen work-related burnout scores was 62.43 (SD = 18.88). Nomophobia dimension I (not being able to communicate) had a direct significant relationship with work-related burnout a (p = 0.015, R² = 0.019). However, the total scores for nomophobia dimensions II, III, and IV had no significant relationships with work-related burnout. Age had a significant relationship with the total nomophobia score (p = 0.033, R² = 0.014). Medical professionals in the private sector had significantly higher scores in dimension II (losing connectedness) and when comparing total nomophobia score to scores from those working in the governmental sector (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Not being able to communicate (as a dimension of nomophobia) has a direct significant relationship with work-related burnout, contrary to other nomophobia dimensions. Further research and interventions should focus on addressing communication-related nomophobia to mitigate work-related burnout.

 Keywords: Nomophobia; Work-Related Burnout; Medical Professionals; Saudi Arabia

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