The Relationship Between Partner Phubbing and Life Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Relationship Satisfaction and Perceived Romantic Relationship Quality

Abstract

This study aims to test the mediating role of relationship satisfaction and perceived romantic relationship quality in the relationship between partner phubbing and life satisfaction. The study included a total of 308 participants, 243 women (78.9%) and 65 men (21.1%). The participants’ age ranged from 18 to 60 (mean = 31.10; SD = 7.93). Data were collected through the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), the Perceived Romantic Relationship Quality Scale (PRRQS), and the Partner Phubbing Scale (PPS). Descriptive statistics of the data were calculated, and the relationships between the variables were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Mediation analyses were performed using structural equation modeling. Structural equation analysis indicated that partner phubbing negatively predicted relationship satisfaction and perceived romantic relationship quality. In addition, relationship satisfaction and perceived romantic relationship quality positively predicted life satisfaction. The correlation analysis performed before the mediation analysis indicated no significant relationships between partner phubbing and life satisfaction. However, the results of structural equation analysis and bootstrapping showed that perceived romantic relationship quality and relationship satisfaction had a fully mediating role in the relationship between partner phubbing and life satisfaction. The results of the bootstrap analysis indicate that partner phubbing had a significant indirect effect on life satisfaction through perceived romantic relationship quality and relationship satisfaction. These results reveal that relationship satisfaction and perceived romantic relationship quality decrease in individuals who are exposed to partner phubbing behaviors, and that decreased relationship satisfaction and romantic relationship quality harm life satisfaction.