Candar S., Geçikli F.
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, vol.16, no.9, pp.1-20, 2026 (Scopus)
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Publication Type:
Article / Article
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Volume:
16
Issue:
9
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Publication Date:
2026
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Doi Number:
10.3390/bs16091536
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Journal Name:
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
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Journal Indexes:
Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Scopus, Linguistic Bibliography, Psycinfo, Directory of Open Access Journals
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Page Numbers:
pp.1-20
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Ataturk University Affiliated:
Yes
Abstract
Phubbing, the act of snubbing a conversational partner in favor of a mobile phone, has become a routine feature of face-to-face interaction. This study tested seven directional hypotheses regarding general phubbing, being phubbed, and interpersonal communication quality across Generations X, Y, and Z, drawing on cohort theory and the digital-native framework. Data were collected via face-to-face questionnaires from 916 students and academic and administrative staff at a large Turkish public university using convenience sampling, and were analyzed with ANOVA, regression, and confirmatory factor analysis. General phubbing and being phubbed were measured with the Turkish-adapted Generic Scale of Phubbing and Generic Scale of Being Phubbed; communication quality was measured with the Interpersonal Communication Scale. General phubbing increased stepwise from Generation X to Z and was significantly and negatively associated with communication quality, as hypothesized. Being phubbed did not differ by generation, consistent with a normalization account, and showed a small, unhypothesized positive association with communication quality. Neither relationship was moderated by generational membership. Generation Z reported the lowest communication quality of the three cohorts, a result robust to sensitivity checks. Measurement limitations and implications for generational research on digital communication are discussed.