You are doubly excluded: the interplay of cyberostracism and perceived parental phubbing in predicting problematic smartphone use.
Cyber indirect exclusion is linked to higher problematic smartphone use, with parental phubbing acting as a mediating factor.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the eloralintide corpusSummary and findings
The study examined the relationship between cyberostracism and problematic smartphone use (PSU) among 428 Iranian young adults, focusing on the mediating role of perceived parental phubbing. Participants completed self-report measures assessing various forms of cyberostracism, parental behaviors, and PSU. Results indicated that cyber indirect exclusion was directly associated with higher PSU, while direct exclusion's association with PSU was mediated by parental phubbing.
Abstract
Problematic smartphone use (PSU) poses increasing risks to young adults' psychological well-being and daily functioning. While offline social exclusion has been linked to maladaptive behaviors, the effects of cyberostracism-online forms of exclusion-and the mediating role of parental behaviors remain underexplored. Guided by the Need-Threat Model of Ostracism and the Rejection Sensitivity Model, the present study examined whether perceived parental phubbing mediates the relationship between distinct forms of cyberostracism and PSU among Iranian young adults. A total of 428 participants (303 females, 125 males; mean age = 28.03 years, SD = 8.67) completed validated self-report measures assessing cyberostracism (direct, indirect, and ignored), perceived parental phubbing, and PSU. Structural equation modeling was used to test direct and indirect pathways. Results indicated that cyber indirect exclusion was directly associated with higher PSU, whereas the association between direct exclusion and PSU was mediated by increased perceptions of parental phubbing. Cyber-ignoring was not significantly associated with PSU. These findings suggest that the psychological correlates of social media-based exclusion on smartphone use vary according to the type of exclusion, with perceived parental phubbing serving as a key process through which explicit online exclusion is associated with maladaptive smartphone engagement. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of integrating social media exclusion experiences with family-level digital behaviors into theoretical models and targeted interventions aimed at reducing PSU.
Background
This paper addresses the increasing concern of problematic smartphone use (PSU) among young adults, which can negatively impact psychological well-being and daily functioning. Previous research has linked offline social exclusion to maladaptive behaviors, but the effects of cyberostracism and the role of parental behaviors in this context remain underexplored. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing interventions aimed at mitigating PSU.
Methods
The study utilized a cross-sectional design with a sample of 428 Iranian young adults. Participants completed validated self-report measures assessing cyberostracism (direct, indirect, and ignored), perceived parental phubbing, and PSU. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze direct and indirect pathways.
Results
The results indicated that cyber indirect exclusion was directly associated with higher PSU. The association between direct exclusion and PSU was mediated by increased perceptions of parental phubbing. Cyber-ignoring did not show a significant association with PSU.
Interpretation
These findings suggest that the psychological impacts of social media-based exclusion on smartphone use differ based on the type of exclusion experienced. While the study identifies significant associations, the effect sizes may not be clinically meaningful. Limitations such as reliance on self-reported data and cultural specificity may confound the conclusions drawn.
Key findings
- 428 participants (303 females, 125 males; mean age = 28.03 years, SD = 8.67).
- Cyber indirect exclusion was directly associated with higher PSU.
- Direct exclusion's association with PSU was mediated by increased perceptions of parental phubbing.
- Cyber-ignoring was not significantly associated with PSU.
Limitations
- Self-reported measures may introduce bias.
- Findings based on a specific cultural context may limit generalizability.
- Cross-sectional design does not establish causality.