Nomophobia and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Consumption in Adolescents in Galicia

Abstract

This study aimed at exploring the association of nomophobia with alcohol, tobacco, and/or cannabis consumption among high school students. We carried out a cross-sectional study among high school and vocational training students in Galicia, Northwest Spain (N = 3,100). Collected data included nomophobia, sociodemographic variables, and alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption. Nomophobia was measured using the validated Nomophobia Questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using generalized linear mixed models. More than a quarter of the adolescents (27.7 percent) had nomophobia. We found an association between nomophobia and a high level of tobacco smoking in the last month in boys (OR = 2.16; 95 percent CI: 1.55–3.03). Nomophobia was also associated with higher odds of binge drinking in both genders (girls: OR = 1.86; 95 percent CI: 1.61–3.52; boys: OR = 2.29; 95 percent CI: 1.68–3.13) and with cannabis consumption in boys (OR = 1.74; 95 percent CI: 1.07–2.81). Our findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive investigation of the factors underlying alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption in the adolescent population.