Other

Child–Parent Relationship Therapy for Phubbing Symptoms in Primary School Children: A Quasi-Experimental Controlled Study

Choobkar A · 2 Oct 2026

Abstract

Abstract Background Phubbing (phone snubbing) occurs when attention to a smartphone displaces attention to someone who is physically present. Among school-age children, family-based intervention may be relevant because patterns of technology use develop within everyday caregiver relationships. Objective This study examined whether a phubbing-adapted Child–Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) program was associated with lower phubbing scores in primary school children. Methods: The quasi-experimental pretest–posttest study included 30 children aged 10–12 years with elevated phubbing screening scores. Children entered an intervention group ( n  = 15) or a waitlist control group ( n  = 15). Mothers in the intervention group attended 10 weekly CPRT sessions of approximately 2 hours each. Children completed the Persian Generic Scale of Phubbing at baseline and posttest. Separate ANCOVA models compared posttest scores after adjustment for the corresponding baseline score, and Holm correction was applied across the total score and four subscales. Results Mean total scores decreased by 7.20 points in the intervention group and increased by 2.40 points in the control group. Adjusted posttest means were 42.13 and 51.73, respectively, F (1, 27) = 29.73, Holm-adjusted p < .001, partial η² = .524. Adjusted differences also favored the intervention for nomophobia, interpersonal conflict, self-isolation, and problem acknowledgement (Holm-adjusted ps ≤ .006; partial η² = .263–.423). Sensitivity analyses produced the same overall pattern. Conclusions: Participation in the program was associated with lower short-term child-reported phubbing scores. Larger randomized studies with prespecified screening rules, independent fidelity assessment, and follow-up are needed before drawing causal or long-term conclusions.