PARTNER PHUBBING, RELATIONSHIP CONFLICT, AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION IN COUPLES

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of partner phubbing, defined as ignoring one's partner in favor of a smartphone, on relationship conflict and relationship satisfaction in couples within the cultural context of Pakistan. Employing a co-relational research design, the study surveyed 260 married individuals (130 males and 130 females) from Faisalabad and Lahore using the Partner Phubbing Scale (PPS). Findings from the Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS) and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) showed that higher levels of partner phubbing were associated with increased relationship conflict and decreased relationship satisfaction. Independent samples test results indicated that females reported higher instances of phubbing behavior than males and experienced lower levels of relationship satisfaction. Although relationship conflict was significantly related to both phubbing and satisfaction, mediation analysis revealed that it did not serve as a significant mediator between the two. Overall, the study highlights the detrimental effects of partner phubbing on romantic relationships in the Pakistani context, along with noticeable gender differences in how such behaviors are experienced and perceived.

Keywords: partner phubbing, relationship conflict, relationship satisfaction, couples