Who “phubs”? A systematic meta-analytic review of phubbing predictors

Abstract

Phubbing (i.e., snubbing someone in face-to-face interactions by focusing on one's phone instead of those present) has increased enormously in recent years and has become a widespread usage phenomenon that is associated with negative consequences, for instance for relationships and friendships. To better understand the predictors of phubbing behavior, the present paper provides a systematic overview of the growing research field. Based on a meta-analytic review of 79 studies and 526 effect sizes, we identified 10 higher-level predictor categories of phubbing behavior: sociodemographics, personality, technology-related norms & experiences, technical equipment, (smart)phone & Internet use, problematic use, well-being, psychopathology, and resilience as well as risk factors. The results of the three-level meta-analysis models indicated that the strongest predictors were problematic use patterns.

Prevalence of phubbing behaviour in school and university students in Spain

“…One such behavior is described using a relatively new term, phubbing; it is defined as the practice of ignoring the presence of others in a social environment while focusing on one’s smartphone ( Karadaǧ et al, 2015 ; Chotpitayasunondh and Douglas, 2016 ). A phubber, a person who neglects others in favor of his smartphone, may lack the necessary self-control to appropriately use both phone and the internet ( Arenz and Schnauber-Stockmann, 2023 ). This behavior can be characterized by a compulsive fear of missing out on other gratifying events and an inability to regulate the use of one’s phone ( Chotpitayasunondh and Douglas, 2016 ); therefore, it may be described as an addiction-like behavior.…”