When smartphones take over: a mixed methods study of phubbing in child and adolescent psychiatry

The recent term phubbing is the amalgamation of the words phone and snubbing, and refers to those phone-related behaviors through which we ignore, dismiss, or otherwise eschew social interactions. Little is known about phubbing among child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs), a group often called upon to provide direction on how to guide children in their rapidly evolving cybernetic contexts.

We conducted a mixed methods study of trainees in CAP (n = 73; 68% women), recruited in the US (6 training programs; n = 35) and Türkiye (5 programs; n = 38). For the quantitative component, we administered two standardized tests: the Generic Scale of Phubbing (GSP), and the Generic Scale of Being Phubbed (GSBP). For the qualitative component, we conducted site-specific focus groups. After transcription, translation, and anonymization of the digitally recorded sessions, we analyzed the data using thematic analysis informed by interpretative phenomenology.

Younger participants scored higher on the GSP (r = -0.43, < 0.001), but ratings did not differ between countries (F = 0.65, df = 1, 70, p = 0.42). GSBP scores did not differ across age or country (p > 0.05). Through thematic analysis we arrived at a four-domain model: (1) Perceptions: regarding the role of smartphone use in modern society and their social implications); (2) Explanations: respondents' conceptualization of antecedents to phubbing behaviors; (3) Consequences: specific outcomes, such as normalization or split attention; and (4) Recommendations: strategies to address phubbing and problematic phone use.

Phubbing is a ubiquitous behavior that can have social and emotional consequences. Through a more nuanced understanding of their own phubbing practices, CAPs can modify maladaptive behaviors of their own, have a more empathetic understanding of phubbing by youths under their care, and provide more realistic guidance regarding smartphone use to patients and their families.