Perspectives

Putting a Positive Spin on the Phubbing Phenomenon

Authors: Stephen Landy, MD, Christine Bahls, BA, Alan Rapoport, MD

Abstract

For nearly a decade, professionals in the mental health and social sciences fields have studied why people phub one another. This smartphone-caused, societal phenomenon—“ph” for phone, “ub” for snub—describes a tête-à-tête in which one participant in the conversation elects to scroll/text/e-mail instead. The act of phubbing can abort sensory connections.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Chi LC, Tang TC, Tang E. The phubbing phenomenon: a cross-sectional study on the relationships among social media addiction, fear of missing out, personality traits, and phubbing behavior. Curr Psychol 2022;41: 1112–1123.
 
2. Wang X,WangW, Qiao Y, et al. Parental phubbing and adolescents’ cyberbullying perpetration: a moderated mediation model of moral disengagement and online disinhibition. J Interpers Violence 2022;37:NP5344–NP5366.
 
3. Wang P, Ouyang M, Yin Y, et al. Mother phubbing and adolescents’ problematic SNS use: the mediating role of perceived burdensomeness and the moderating role of need to belong. Front Psychol 2023;14:1098707.
 
4. Chotpitayasunondh V, Douglas KM. How “phubbing” becomes the norm: the antecedents and consequences of snubbing via smartphone. Comput Human Behav 2016;63:9–18.
 
5. Iovino P, Vellone E, Cedrone N, et al. A middle-range theory of social isolation in chronic illness. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:4940.