You're probably getting pphubbed a lot but don't realize it. A new study found that excessive use of cell phones can be damaging to romantic relationships and even lead to depression.
For their research, Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business conducted two surveys of 453 adults in the US to find out the effects of "Pphubbing" or "partner phone snubbing" - that happens when people are too distracted by cell phone use while with their partners.
"What we discovered was that when someone perceived that their partner phubbed them, this created conflict and led to lower levels of reported relationship satisfaction," marketing professor and co-author of the study James Roberts said in a statement.
"These lower levels of relationship satisfaction, in turn, led to lower levels of life satisfaction and, ultimately, higher levels of depression."
To find out how cell phones can be damaging to romantic relationships, the team devised a Pphubbing scale, which included statements such as "my partner places his or her cellphone where they can see it when we are together" and "my partner glances at his/her cellphone when talking to me," TIME reported.
Reportedly, 46.3 percent of respondents said they were being phubbed by their partner.
Only 32 percent said they're satisfied with their relationship, according to the study.
Common knowledge says momentary distractions caused by cell phones aren't a big deal but Roberts said the study proves otherwise.
As the findings suggest, the more cell phones are used in the time a couple is together, the more damaging it can be with a partner not happy with the relationship.
"When you think about the results, they are astounding," Roberts said, adding, "Something as common as cellphone use can undermine the bedrock of our happiness - our relationships with our romantic partners."
The study titled, "My life has become a major distraction from my cell phone: Partner phubbing and relationship satisfaction among romantic partners" was conducted to understand the use of cell phones and how it affects relationships.
