The relationship between exposure to phubbing and engage in phubbing behavior in adolescents: The roles of social exclusion and self-regulation

With the increasing popularity of smartphones and social networks, phubbing has become a problem that threatens adolescent development. Therefore, the effect of phubbing on parental relationship quality and self-evaluations in adolescents has attracted the attention of researchers. However, the relationship between phubbing exposure and engage in phubbing and the underlying mechanisms remains unclear. This study examined the sequential mediating role of social exclusion and self-regulation in the relationship between exposure to phubbing and engaging in phubbing behavior based on Expectancy Violations Theory (EVT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). Analysis was conducted with the responses of a total of 622 adolescents ( M age = 15.9; 54.8% girls and 45.2% boys). Findings revealed significant relationships between phubbing, social exclusion, and self-regulation. Results showed that social exclusion and self-regulation serially mediated the relationship between exposure to phubbing and engage in phubbing behavior. Based on these findings, more attention should be paid to adolescents’ social exclusion and self-regulation for the prevention and intervention of phubbing.