Date
12-19-2024
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Nathan Borrett
Keywords
phubbing, parent, adolescent, social anxiety, technology, cell phones
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Bowman, Julie Ann, "Parental Phubbing and Adolescent Social Anxiety" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6394.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6394
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how parents experience social anxiety in their children, of ages six to fourteen, in the presence of parental phubbing. The modified version of Moustakas’ modified version of Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen’s analysis method was used to gather and analyze data. Participant requirements included being at least 21 years of age, having a child between the ages of 6-14, own a cell phone with texting and internet capabilities, and speak English fluently. Fifteen participants were used, however, data saturation was found by the ninth participant. This study explored two research questions: How do parents of children ages six to fourteen experience cell phone usage while interacting with their children in social settings? and How do parents experience social anxiety in their children of ages six to fourteen in the presence of parental phubbing? This phenomenological study gathered perceived parental views on their personal phubbing around their children and their child’s social anxiety. Four out of 15 participants were not shocked by the amount of phubbing that occurred during family time and the main reason for phubbing was identified as “work.” Parents perceived two characteristics of social anxiety within their children when in the parental phubbing environment, which included fear and avoidance. Interestingly, children with anxious vs secure attachments were less likely to ask their parent to get off their phone, more likely to ignore their parent in response to phubbing, and more likely to have social anxiety. This study supported past studies on the topic of parental phubbing and offered a different perspective from a qualitative view. Future research is still needed to further understand this phenomenon and the spiritual implications of it as well.
