The increasing prevalence of smartphone use in daily life and work has led to a phenomenon known as „phubbing,“ where individuals engage with their phones while ignoring others during interactions. This behavior, especially when exhibited by parents towards their children, is known as parental phubbing. Research has shown that parental phubbing can have detrimental effects on the parent-child relationship, leading to negative emotions such as depression, loneliness, and internalizing problems in adolescents.
Depression among adolescents is a significant concern, with studies showing a rise in its prevalence over the years. The impact of parental phubbing on adolescent depression is a critical area of study, as it can shed light on the mechanisms through which this behavior affects mental health. This study aims to explore the relationship between parental phubbing and adolescent depression, as well as the mediating roles of basic psychological needs satisfaction and self-esteem.
The results of the study indicate that parental phubbing is positively correlated with depression in junior high school students. Additionally, basic psychological needs satisfaction and self-esteem play mediating roles in the relationship between parental phubbing and depression. Basic psychological needs satisfaction and self-esteem act as protective factors against depression, with the satisfaction of these needs predicting lower levels of depression in adolescents.
The findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving parent-child communication, reducing parental phubbing, and enhancing basic psychological needs satisfaction and self-esteem in adolescents could help mitigate the risk of depression. Schools and parents can play a crucial role in supporting adolescents‘ mental health by fostering positive parent-child relationships, promoting self-esteem, and ensuring the satisfaction