Phubbing in its own meaning is to snub someone in a social setting by looking at your mobile device instead of paying attention to what others are saying.
Studies are showing that phubbing can affect ones interaction whilst being around the loved ones especially your partner in fact this is called partner phubbing. Using your phone in your partners presence can affect the levels of anxiety, life satisfaction and also have an indirect connection to depression according to recent studies. One can see it as their partner losing interest and this can come about from the fact that the three connection factors are being affected. These factors are accessibility, responsiveness and engagement. Once one of these factors are interfered due to phubbing then there could be that the quality time between a couple is reduced into having problems within a relationship.
Some tips on how to stop phubbing have been suggested by those going through it themselves. It is suggested to limit the notifications and turning on preview messages so one doesn’t need to reply immediately. Moreover it is helpful to set rules not to use the phone during family meals for example and to wake up in the morning without immediately looking at the phone but rather taking some time to reflect. It is highlighted not to use a portable charger making the mobile not as accessible if the battery is low on battery. Lastly it is reminded that social life is not real life so one must be more present in the moment.
Therisa is a psychology graduate who worked in the HR sector for the past 4 years. She decided to change her career path and thus is at present an intern at willingness and will continue to focus on psychology practices.