Effects of Mobile Phone Withdrawal, Gender and Academic Level on Mobile Phone Dependency Among Mass Communication Students in Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Noticeable among young adults in Nigeria is their dependence on mobile phone for relational communication. This study is therefore one attempt at subjecting such observation to empirical testing. The study examined the effects of Mobile phone withdrawal, gender and academic level of students’ dependency on mobile phone. It was a quasi-experiment with 2×2×>2 non-randomized pre-test post-test control group designs. Subjects in experimental and control groups were 100 and 400 level Mass Communication students of Ajayi Crowther University in Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria. Students’ Mobile Phone Dependency Questionnaire(r=0.72) was administered as pre and post-test measures. Data generated were analysed with frequency count, percentage, t-test and Analysis of Covariance. Findings show that 55% of the students used their phones ‘very frequently’, 30% used it ‘frequently’. Before the intervention, students’ dependency on mobile phone was ‘moderate’ (60.8%) but after the treatment, there was upward adjustment ‘High’ (45%). Statistical significant difference was found between students’ dependency pre-test and post-test scores in favour of the post-test (t= -5.665; p<0.05). Treatment (F= 3.832; p<0.05) and academic level (F= 12.185; p<0.05) were found to have significant main effects. Hence, the study concluded that students are actually dependent on their mobile phones and that, in considering and controlling mobile phone dependency, students’ academic level is a potent factor.