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Adolescence

Parental Phubbing Linked to Adolescent Psychological Distress, Study Finds

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study has shed light on the relationship between parental smartphone use and adolescent psychological distress. Research conducted in China found that neglectful diversion of attention from children to smartphones, known as parental phubbing, increases psychological distress in adolescents and may create a reciprocal cycle. The study investigated the longitudinal associations between parental phubbing and adolescent psychological distress, as well as the mediating role of psychological inflexibility.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that parental phubbing significantly increases adolescent psychological distress at both between-and within-person levels, with reciprocal effects observed.
  • Psychological inflexibility was found to mediate the associations between parental phubbing and adolescent psychological distress, with the mediating effect being more pronounced during early adolescence.
  • The study suggests that psychological inflexibility is a modifiable factor that can help break the vicious cycle between parental phubbing and adolescent psychological distress, particularly for early adolescents.
  • The research identified 1055 adolescents (initial mean age = 14.86 ± 1.70 years, range = 11-18, n(girl) = 537) who completed questionnaires at three waves over a one-year period in China.
  • The study explored the effects of parental phubbing on adolescent psychological distress across different adolescence stages, highlighting the need for family-based interventions.
  • The research was financially supported by the Natural Science Youth Foundation.
  • Xiaochun Xie, Northeast Normal University, School of Psychology, Changchun 130024, People's Republic of China, was involved in the research.

Statistics:

  • 1055 adolescents participated in the study, with a mean age of 14.86 ± 1.70 years.
  • The study spanned a one-year period, with questionnaires completed at three waves.
  • The mediating effect of psychological inflexibility on the cycle between parental phubbing and adolescent psychological distress was more pronounced during early adolescence.
  • The study revealed significant positive associations between parental phubbing and adolescent psychological distress at both between-and within-person levels.

Sources:

  • The Vicious Cycle? Parental Phubbing and Adolescent Psychological Distress: the Mediating Role of Psychological Inflexibility Across Different Adolescence Stages. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Data on Psychology and Psychiatry Reported by Researchers at Northeast Normal University (The Vicious Cycle? Parental Phubbing and Adolescent Psychological Distress: the Mediating Role of Psychological Inflexibility Across Different Adolescence ...). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. November 1, 2025; p 663.
  • Springer|plenum Publishers. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 233 Spring St, New York, NY 10013, USA.

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