The relationship between partner phubbing and parental phubbing among Chinese couples

Abstract Objective Grounded in family systems theory and interdependence theory, this study examines the associations between partner phubbing and parental phubbing, with marital satisfaction as a mediator. Background In recent years, researchers have delved into the adverse effects of parental phubbing, yet studies investigating its underlying mechanisms remain scarce. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for developing effective interventions. Method The study used two‐wave longitudinal data and administered questionnaires to assess 436 husband–wife dyads in China. The average age of husbands was 42.32 years ( SD = 4.77), and wives were 40.86 years old ( SD = 4.88). Results The results showed that wives' parental phubbing was directly influenced by both wives' and husbands' partner phubbing, In contrast, husbands' parental phubbing showed no significant relationship with their own or their wives' partner phubbing. Furthermore, wives' marital satisfaction mediated the link between husbands' partner phubbing and wives' parental phubbing. Conclusion The findings underscore the significance of partner phubbing in shaping parenting behavior, with differences observed between husbands and wives. Implications The findings have important implications for practices and research that focus on the interplay of phubbing within family subsystems and adopt a familial dynamics perspective.