Article: This or that, which coworker phubb more; association between personality traits and phubbing behaviour through mobile phone addiction Journal: International Journal of Business Innovation and Research (IJBIR) 2026 Vol.40 No.4 pp.466 - 487 Abstract: In recent times, the phenomenon of phubbing (the act of ignoring others during personal interactions by using smartphones) has gained attention in social science research. Its adverse outcomes in social relations among partners, friends and colleagues are well documented but little is known about the antecedent of this pathological phubbing behaviour. This study examines the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and phubbing behaviour while using mobile phone addiction as a mediator. Multi-source data were collected from 177 respondents (coworkers) working in the healthcare sector of Pakistan. Data of personality traits and mobile phone addiction were self-reported whereas the data for phubbing behaviour were peer reported. Results show that personality traits, openness to experience, extroversion, and neuroticism are positive while conscientiousness is a negative predictor of phubbing behaviour and mobile phone addiction plays a mediating role in these relationships. However, agreeableness has been found not associated with mobile phone addiction nor with phubbing behaviour. Practical implications related to antisocial use mobile phones have been discussed. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: This or that, which coworker phubb more; association between personality traits and phubbing behaviour through mobile phone addiction

Authors: Muhammad Nawaz Khan; Khurram Shahzad; Muhammad Qaiser Shafi

Addresses: Faculty of Management Science, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan ' Faculty of Management Science, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan ' Faculty of Management Science, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract: In recent times, the phenomenon of phubbing (the act of ignoring others during personal interactions by using smartphones) has gained attention in social science research. Its adverse outcomes in social relations among partners, friends and colleagues are well documented but little is known about the antecedent of this pathological phubbing behaviour. This study examines the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and phubbing behaviour while using mobile phone addiction as a mediator. Multi-source data were collected from 177 respondents (coworkers) working in the healthcare sector of Pakistan. Data of personality traits and mobile phone addiction were self-reported whereas the data for phubbing behaviour were peer reported. Results show that personality traits, openness to experience, extroversion, and neuroticism are positive while conscientiousness is a negative predictor of phubbing behaviour and mobile phone addiction plays a mediating role in these relationships. However, agreeableness has been found not associated with mobile phone addiction nor with phubbing behaviour. Practical implications related to antisocial use mobile phones have been discussed.

Keywords: personality traits; big five model; mobile phone addiction; phubbing behaviour.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2026.155659

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2026 Vol.40 No.4, pp.466 - 487

Received: 18 Sep 2022
Accepted: 24 Apr 2023
Published online: 10 Aug 2026 *

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Title: This or that, which coworker phubb more; association between personality traits and phubbing behaviour through mobile phone addiction

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