Need to Belong, Ostracism and Phubbing Behaviour Among University Students: Role of Rejection Sensitivity

Abstract

The present study was aimed to study the correlation among need to belong, rejection sensitivity, ostracism and phubbing behavior among university students. It was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between need to belong, rejection sensitivity, ostracism and phubbing behavior among university students. It was also hypothesized that need to belong, ostracism and phubbing behavior would be mediated by rejection sensitivity. Further, the study highlighted that influence of demographic variables on study variables among university students. Using correlational research design, the need to belong scale, rejection sensitivity scale, ostracism experience scale and phubbing behavior scale were examined on 500 undergraduate university students who belong to multiple universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The results indicated the significant relationship among study variables. Findings further revealed that the rejection sensitivity partially mediated the relationship between need to belong, ostracism and phubbing behavior. The results also revealed significant difference on basis of area of residence in experiencing phone obsession among university students. Therefore, it can be concluded that university students who have high need to belong are more sensitive to rejection, ostracism and phubbing behavior. Moreover, students who are living in Islamabad have high ratio of phone obsession as compared to students living in Rawalpindi. This study emphasizes parents, teachers, institutions and policy makers to inculcate more alternative healthy activities amongst youth for the effective use of mobile phones which is the main reason behind many psychological issues.