Parental Warmth-Neglect, Perceived Phubbing and Emotional Behavioral Problems of Gen Z
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54938/ijemdss.2026.05.2.655Keywords:
Parental warmth/neglect; Perceived parental phubbing; Emotional-behavioral problems; Self-phubbing; Generation Z.Abstract
Background: Adolescent years are crucial for development where parents have an important influence on the behavior of children. Although there is extensive evidence of neglect and affection as factors that affect emotional and behavioral development of children, the process is becoming more complex in terms of modern technology distraction. The phenomenon of “phubbing” by parents, which refers to the use of smartphones when talking with children, influences communication and family cohesion.
Objectives: In this correlational research, the relationship between parental neglect, parental phubbing, teenage phubbing behaviors (communication disturbance and phone addiction) and emotional-behavioral problems were studied.
Method: A sample of 515 adolescents (Mage= 16.5 years, aged 14–19) completed standardized self-report measures. Data was analyzed using serial mediation modeling via the SPSS PROCESS macro.
Results: Parental neglect perception and phubbing were significantly and positively associated with youth self-phubbing and emotional-behavioral problems. Serial mediation analyses found that parental neglect is a significant predictor of parental phubbing, which subsequently leads to youth communication problems and phubbing, culminating in emotional-behavioral problems.
Conclusion: The results clearly indicate how parental phubbing is a powerful form of relational neglect in the modern-day world, which can result in maladjustment among adolescents.
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