The key factor was not how often men reported using their phones, but whether their partners felt neglected by the behaviour.

The phenomenon, known as "phubbing" — a blend of "phone" and "snubbing" — occurs when someone pays more attention to a mobile device than to the person they are with. Researchers say that during pregnancy, repeated feelings of being ignored by a partner focused on a phone screen may affect a woman's emotional wellbeing after childbirth.

The study, published in BMC Psychology, was carried out by an international team including Małgorzata Sobol, PhD, from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Warsaw, and Prof. Agata Błachnio from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin.

The researchers followed 30 couples recruited from a gynaecological clinic in Italy, assessing them during pregnancy and three months after delivery. Women completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and recorded their experiences of their partner's phone use in online diaries, while men assessed their own behaviour using a phubbing questionnaire.

Although the study involved only a small group of couples, the researchers say it highlights a possible relationship factor that deserves further investigation.

The analysis showed that women's perception of being ignored by their partner's phone use during the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with more severe symptoms of postpartum depression after birth. A similar link was also observed between feelings of being ignored during the first trimester and depressive symptoms later in pregnancy.

Importantly, men's own reports of their phone use were not associated with their partners' later depressive symptoms. The finding suggests that the emotional impact may depend less on actual screen time and more on how smartphone use is experienced within the relationship.

The researchers say this may be particularly significant in late pregnancy, when many women are preparing for childbirth and often rely heavily on emotional support from their partner.

"During this period, the support and presence of a partner become particularly important for the subjective sense of security of the woman and her child. A partner who exhibits emotional neglect or indifference through phubbing can, as labour approaches, cause a woman to feel threatened, anxious, irritated, and lonely," the researchers said.

They also note that late pregnancy can be a period when changes in the body affect some women's sense of self-confidence, potentially making certain partner behaviours more emotionally significant.

"Consequently, during this period women may be particularly sensitive to certain partner behaviours, such as problematic cell phone use, which can be interpreted as signals of disinterest or even a shift of attention to other women," the authors said.

The researchers explain the findings through the importance of mutual attention and responsiveness in close relationships. When one partner repeatedly turns to a phone instead of responding to the other person's needs, it may weaken feelings of intimacy, connection and support.

They say the findings suggest that smartphone habits could become part of education for future parents. Increasing awareness that phone use may sometimes be perceived as a lack of attention or support could help reduce one potential source of emotional distress during the perinatal period.

The researchers stress that smartphones do not cause postpartum depression on their own, and that many biological, psychological and social factors influence mental health after childbirth. However, they say everyday patterns of interaction between partners may play a role in how supported women feel during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives. (PAP)

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