Relação entre phubbing e vinculação

: diferenças entre jovens adultos e adultos

Abstract

Phubbing, the act of ignoring someone to use a mobile phone during a social interaction, is an increasingly common behavior, with implications for interpersonal relationships by contributing to their deterioration and reducing the quality of emotional bonds. This study aims to analyze the relationship between phubbing and attachment in Portuguese young adults and adults. The sample consisted of 299 participants, aged between 18 and 59 years (M = 27; SD = 9.85), who completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, a mobile phone usage questionnaire, the Phubbing Scale, and the Experiences in Close Relationships – Relationship Structures questionnaire. Results indicate that among young adults, 37.7% use their mobile phones for 3 to 4 hours during the week and 45.6% during the weekend, mainly to communicate with friends or family (55.3%). Among adults, 56% use their phones for 1 to 2 hours during the week and 34.5% during the weekend, with the same purpose (58.3%). Communication disturbance was the highest phubbing dimension (M = 9.78) in both groups. Anxious attachment stood out among young adults (M = 3.89), while avoidance was predominant among adults (M = 3.89). A positive correlation was found between phubbing and anxious attachment in young adults, who also showed higher levels of phubbing and anxious attachment than adults. These findings are consistent with the existing literature but highlight the need for further research into the impact of phubbing on emotional relationships in the national context.

Date of Award	23 Jan 2026
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Berta Rodrigues Maia (Supervisor)