Phubbing,Perceived Romantic Relationship Quality,and Mindfulness in Romantic Relationships: A Dyadic Analysis of Unmarried Couples

Abstract

This study examined the interplay between perceived partner phubbing (i.e., ignoring one’s partner during face-to-face interactions by attending to a smartphone), mindfulness in romantic relationships, and perceived relationship quality from a dyadic perspective. A cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected from 704 heterosexual romantic dyads (N = 1,408 individuals) aged between 18 and 35 years. Both partners completed measures assessing perceived partner phubbing, mindfulness in romantic relationships, and perceived relationship quality. Analyses using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) indicated that individuals who perceived higher levels of partner phubbing reported lower levels of mindfulness in their romantic relationships. In turn, higher levels of mindfulness were associated with more positive evaluations of relationship quality. Furthermore, mindfulness in romantic relationships demonstrated a significant indirect effect linking perceived partner phubbing to perceived relationship quality at the actor level, highlighting its explanatory role in processes associated with digital distraction in romantic relationships. Although partner mindfulness did not have a significant direct effect on the other partner’s perceived relationship quality, the results provided partial support for partner-level indirect pathways, suggesting that mindfulness may operate through interpersonal mechanisms across partners. These findings underscore the importance of examining mindfulness within romantic contexts and highlight its indirect role in shaping how partners interpret and respond to partner phubbing in intimate interactions.