The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in the Relationship Between Loneliness and Phubbing: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> In today's reality, the mobile phone accompanies people in almost every area of life. Technological progress offers a range of conveniences, facilities, and opportunities. At the same time, researchers observe new phenomena such as <i>phubbing</i>, which is defined as ignoring others in favor of one's smartphone and is increasingly being perceived as a normative behavior. <b>Methods:</b> The study was conducted using an online survey. A total of 201 adults aged between 18 and 75 participated. The research employed a proprietary questionnaire designed to collect data on phone and social media use, as well as the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA), the Generic Scale of Phubbing (GSP), and the Self-Esteem Scale (SES). <b>Results:</b> The results showed a positive relationship between loneliness and phubbing, and a negative relationship between loneliness and self-esteem. Additionally, a negative relationship was found between self-esteem and phubbing behavior. In line with the main objective of the study, it was demonstrated that self-esteem acts as a mediating factor in the relationship between loneliness and phubbing behavior. <b>Conclusions:</b> Individuals experiencing loneliness may have lower self-esteem, which in turn may lead them to engage in phubbing behavior more frequently. Identifying factors related to phubbing behavior helps expand knowledge about this new, yet increasingly common phenomenon, which carries psychosocial consequences. At the same time, the topic highlights the need for further research to deepen our understanding of the phenomena of loneliness and phubbing.