A doctoral thesis from the University of Gothenburg suggests that workers who frequently notice colleagues scrolling on mobile phones instead of chatting during breaks tend to view their psychosocial work environment more negatively.
The research was conducted by psychologist Per Martinsson, who examined how mobile phone use during work breaks affects relationships between coworkers.
Previous research has shown that scrolling on phones can harm interpersonal relationships. Many people report that conversations deteriorate when phones are used at the same time. However, few studies have examined how mobile phone use influences relationships in the workplace.
Martinsson’s thesis explores what happens when phones replace social interaction during breaks. The research draws on the concept of phubbing, short for “phone snubbing,” which refers to prioritising a mobile phone over people who are physically present.
Interviews with electricians and healthcare professionals suggest that mobile phones can sometimes act as a barrier to interaction.
The qualitative study included 25 interviews and found that phones were often perceived as reducing conversation and socialising during breaks. Some workers also reported using their phones to withdraw from social interaction, which may reflect a need for rest and recovery.
Two survey studies involving around 1,700 working adults produced similar findings.
Participants who perceived higher levels of phubbing from colleagues were more likely to report a poorer psychosocial work environment. These perceptions were associated with lower levels of emotional support, practical support, trust, sense of community, and engagement with work and the organisation.
“It is interesting that one’s own mobile phone use does not appear to be associated with these factors, but what others do may play a role,” says Per Martinsson.
Both survey samples, one consisting of electricians and the other a broad sample of Swedish workers, showed a negative association between perceived phubbing and workplace climate.
However, the research did not find evidence that mobile phone use caused the work environment to deteriorate over a one-year period. The author notes that further research is needed to determine causal relationships.
Mobile phone use during breaks also appears to reflect generational differences. Younger employees reported using their phones more frequently during breaks and were also more likely to view such behaviour as acceptable. Interview participants noted that phone use is not always negative. In some situations, phones become part of shared interaction, such as when colleagues search for information or look at photos and videos together.
“Since norms and expectations differ between groups, an important skill is being able to read the situation, understanding how and when it is socially acceptable to use one’s phone, and in which situations it may be perceived as excluding others,” says Per Martinsson.
Martinsson emphasises that the findings should not lead to stricter workplace rules on phone use. “These findings shouldn’t be taken to mean that more rules are needed or that staff must put their phones away during breaks. Rather, I hope my findings will encourage reflection and discussion about this issue in the workplace. We can talk about how we want things to be and how we can create a good work environment together,” Martinsson says.
The thesis, titled Coworker phubbing: Smartphone use during work breaks and the psychosocial work environment, includes one qualitative interview study with 25 electricians and healthcare professionals analysed using thematic analysis, a survey of approximately 800 electricians, and a second survey of just under 900 Swedish workers conducted through the SOM Institute.
Related research from the project has reported similar patterns. Exposure to coworker phubbing was linked to lower perceptions of support, community, trust, and commitment at work. Younger participants reported more personal phone use but less severe exposure to phubbing from others.