Phubbing and Psychological Distress among Emerging Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

The widespread use of smartphones has significantly transformed the patterns of interpersonal communication and social interaction. One of the emerging behavioural phenomenon associated with smartphone use is phubbing, which refers to the tendency to attend to one’s smartphone while disregarding or ignoring individuals who are physically present. As smartphones have become increasingly integrated into everyday life, phubbing has become a common feature of contemporary social interactions and may have implications for psychological well-being. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between phubbing and psychological distress among emerging adults aged 18–25 years. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research design was adopted. Data were collected from 200 emerging adults recruited from higher secondary schools and colleges in Imphal West, Manipur. The collected data were analysed using the Pearson product–moment correlation coefficient and independent-samples t test. The findings indicated that there were no statistically significant gender differences in levels of phubbing or psychological distress. However, a moderate positive correlation was observed between phubbing and psychological distress, suggesting that higher levels of phubbing were associated with greater psychological distress among emerging adults. The findings highlight the importance of increasing awareness regarding problematic smartphone use and its potential psychological consequences, particularly among young adults. Promoting mindful smartphone use and healthier patterns of interpersonal interaction may contribute to reducing psychological distress associated with excessive smartphone engagement. Keywords: Phubbing, Psychological Distress, Smartphone Use, Emerging Adults, Interpersonal Interaction