Phubbing and Alexithymia Levels in University Students: Determining Influencing Factors

Background: This study aimed to describe the relationship between phubbing levels and alexithymia levels among university students. Methods: The research was conducted using a descriptive correlational design. Through the snowball sampling method, 417 university students studying in Istanbul were included. Personal Information Form, General Phubbing Scale (GPS), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) were used for collecting data. Statistical data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24, New York). Results were evaluated at a 95% confidence interval and a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The students’ mean age was 20.87 ± 2.09 years. Furthermore, 85% were female, 64.1% were enrolled in health sciences program, and 35.9% were first-year students. Students reported spending 5.22 ± 2.20 hours per day on their smartphones, with 70.3% using Instagram the most and 56.7% evaluating their interpersonal relationships as good. Male students had lower phubbing scores than females ( p = 0.002). Those who reported good/very good interpersonal relationships had lower GPS and TAS scores ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: A relationship exists between smartphone usage, phubbing behavior, and alexithymia levels. Therefore, programs for university students should promote conscious digital media use while strengthening interpersonal relationships.