Relationships Between Parental Phubbing, Mobile Phone Addiction and Well‐Being in Chinese Nursing Students: A Cross‐Sectional Study Using Structural Equation Modelling

AIM: This study aims to investigate the relationships between parental phubbing, mobile phone addiction and well-being in nursing students. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, correlational study design was employed. METHODS: A convenience sampling method was used, and a web-based survey was conducted to obtain data. All variables were measured using standardised instruments. Structural equation modelling was used to test our hypothetical model that included parental phubbing, mobile phone addiction and well-being in nursing students. The response rate was 98.6%. RESULTS: A total of 362 nursing students were included in this study. The structural equation model found relationships between parental phubbing, mobile phone addiction and well-being in nursing students. Parental phubbing scores were positively related to mobile phone addiction scores (β = 0.54, p < 0.05). We also found that mobile phone addiction scores were positively and significantly associated with well-being scores (β = 0.25, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the direct effect of parental phubbing on well-being was non-significant (β = 0.14, p = 0.10), and the total effect was significant and positive (β = 0.28, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Parental phubbing behaviour may increase nursing students' mobile phone addiction, while nursing students' addiction to mobile phones may enhance their well-being. The direct effect of parents' phubbing behaviour on nursing students' well-being is non-significant. These findings are helpful for college educators and related researchers to better understand the relationships between parental phubbing, mobile phone addiction and well-being in nursing students. Practical and effective operational suggestions on mobile phone management and the increase of well-being in nursing students are put forward. REPORTING METHOD: The study followed the STROBE checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: None.