Have You Been “Phubbed” (snubbed for a phone) Lately?

Have you been phubbed lately? “Phubbing" — a mix of “phone” and “snubbing”— is when someone pays more attention to their smartphone than they do to the people with whom they are face to face. 

Not surprisingly, research has shown that phubbing has a negative impact on relationship satisfaction and can lead to increased conflict.  This is especially true with married couples.

The good news is that researchers have also determined that effective communication skills can mitigate the impact of phubbing. Those skills include:

• Ego-supportive language: Find words that positively influence the other’s self-perception.
• Attentive listening: Be fully engaged in the moment when someone is speaking.
• Self-disclosure: Share your thoughts, emotions, and experiences with vulnerability.
• Empathy: Seek to understand and communicate the other person’s point of view.
• Emotional Literacy: Understand and express your feelings without judgment or accusation. 

​We cannot turn back the clock on technology, but phubbing should be seen as a problem. Addressing it by prioritizing face-to-face time and spending that time engaged in positive communication can help contain the potential damage. 

Have you been phubbed lately? How did it make you feel, and what did you do? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

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