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

Introduction: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.