A recent study by researchers from the Universities of Bath, Aston, and IESE Business School reveals that “phubbing” — the act of ignoring someone in favor of a mobile phone — not only strains personal relationships but also significantly hampers women’s creativity in the workplace.
The Impact of Phubbing on Relationships and Creativity
The research sheds light on the detrimental effects of phubbing, a behavior often criticized for weakening personal connections and mental well-being. According to the study, phone distractions disrupt vital social interactions between partners, especially in dual-income couples. This disruption in communication diminishes the emotional support partners typically provide each other, which is crucial for balancing work and family responsibilities.
The study, conducted with 65 full-time, dual-income heterosexual couples in the United States, tracked participants through diary entries over a 15-day period. The results indicate that when individuals spend more time on their phones, it not only damages their relationship but also affects their partner’s performance at work. However, this impact is most pronounced in women.
Professor Yasin Rofcanin: Phones Disrupt Both Relationships and Creativity
Professor Yasin Rofcanin from the Future of Work Research Centre at the University of Bath commented on the findings:
“Excessive phone use erodes the emotional connection between couples, limiting their ability to share and address concerns. These supportive interactions are essential for mental well-being, and when couples miss out on these moments due to phone distractions, it affects their workplace creativity, particularly for women.”
Previous research has highlighted the positive crossover effect of supportive interactions between co-workers and home life. Strong relationships at work can benefit loving partnerships and foster workplace creativity. Yet, this crossover effect seems to be gender-specific, as it primarily enhances women’s creativity in the workplace.
Why Women Are More Affected
The study suggests that women are better equipped to translate emotional support from home into workplace creativity. Researchers attribute this to societal expectations placed on women to juggle both work and home life, motivating them to pursue support systems that improve their work-life balance. When this support is interrupted, as in the case of phubbing, women lose out on the potential for creativity that such interaction fosters.
Women often engage in proactive “job crafting,” seeking out new challenges and building stronger relationships with colleagues. By doing so, they enhance job satisfaction, which ultimately boosts their creativity. The study emphasizes that this “support spiral” is a key element in driving women’s workplace innovation.
Relevance in the Post-Pandemic Era
In today’s hybrid working environment, where the line between work and home life is increasingly blurred, these findings carry particular relevance. As organizations adopt flexible working arrangements, the dynamics of home life—specifically the support partners provide one another—must be considered as a factor influencing employee productivity and creativity.
Professor Rofcanin noted, “As businesses adapt to hybrid working, understanding how home dynamics influence work outcomes is crucial. Encouraging boundaries around technology use at home and fostering a healthy work-family balance can play a pivotal role in maintaining employee well-being and productivity.”
Work-Family Policies: A Critical Need
Dr. Siqi Wang from Aston Business School emphasized the importance of creating a supportive work-family environment. She noted that close collaboration between HR managers and supervisors is essential to developing effective family-friendly policies. Such programs should focus on improving communication and limiting work-related technology use outside office hours.
The researchers hope that these insights will encourage employers to adopt policies that support a better work-family balance, such as flexible work schedules and supervisor training programs. By fostering a more supportive environment, organizations can help mitigate the negative effects of phubbing, particularly for women, and enhance overall workplace creativity.
