Technophobia and Its Associated Factors Among Registered Nurses in China: A Cross‐Sectional Multicenter Study

AIM: To examine the level of technophobia and identify its associated sociodemographic, occupational, and psychosocial factors among registered nurses in China. BACKGROUND: The rapid digital transformation of healthcare systems demands that nurses effectively adopt and use digital technologies. Technophobia-defined as negative emotional reactions toward technology-may impede nurses' adaptation to technological innovations. However, no study is currently available on technophobia and its associated factors in registered nurses. DESIGN: A multicenter, cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 1559 registered nurses from two university-affiliated tertiary hospitals in Northeast China were surveyed between September and October 2025. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including sociodemographic factors, occupational factors, the validated Chinese version of the Technophobia Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Athens Insomnia Scale. A generalized linear model was fitted to identify independent predictors of technophobia. RESULTS: : 13.00-39.00), indicating a low-to-moderate level overall. The generalized linear model revealed that male gender (β = 0.201), having one child (β = 0.130), living alone (β = 0.091), having a higher perceived workload (β = 0.048), and poorer sleep quality (β = 0.015) were independently associated with greater technophobia. Conversely, higher job satisfaction (β = -0.081) and stronger social support (β = -0.003) were independently associated with lower technophobia; however, the effect size for social support was relatively small, all p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Technophobia among registered nurses in China is at a moderately low level. Interventions targeting modifiable factors-such as workload management, sleep health, job satisfaction, and social support-through structured digital literacy training, peer support mechanisms, and other supportive workplace strategies may help mitigate technophobia and enhance nurses' readiness for digital transformation. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Nurses voluntarily participated in the survey. The findings may indirectly benefit patients through improved nurse engagement with digital health systems and safer, more efficient care delivery.