Phubbing and Relationship Mindfulness: New Turkish Study Links Phone Distractions to Lower Relationship Quality

The study in the *Journal of Social and Personal Relationships* examined how perceived partner phubbing (snubbing a conversation for a smartphone) relates to relationship mindfulness and overall quality. Actor-level analyses showed that individuals who felt ignored by a partner’s phone use reported lower mindfulness, which predicted poorer assessments of trust, intimacy, and satisfaction. Partner-level effects revealed that one partner’s experience of phubbing also reduced the other’s mindfulness, though it did not directly lower the partner’s relationship quality.

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The researchers recruited 704 heterosexual couples (1,408 individuals) aged 18–35 from Türkiye. Approximately 23 % reported relationships under six months. Both partners completed an online questionnaire that required about 15 minutes and employed validated scales for phubbing, mindfulness, and relationship quality. A dyadic statistical model estimated actor and partner effects.

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These findings suggest that brief digital interruptions can diminish emotional presence, lowering mindfulness and weakening trust, intimacy, and satisfaction. Recognizing phubbing as a relational stressor may encourage couples to set phone-use boundaries during face-to-face interactions, potentially preserving relationship health. These insights may inform counseling interventions that address digital etiquette.

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The lead author, Tugba Türk Kurtça of Trakya University, emphasized smartphones’ pervasive role and interest in how device use during direct interaction shapes connection. She noted the dyadic design captures mutual influences and that the study seeks strategies to protect couples from digital interruptions.

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The cross-sectional design prevents causal inference, and the sample of unmarried, young, heterosexual Turkish adults limits generalizability to other ages, relationship types, or cultures.

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Partner effects on relationship quality were not statistically significant, creating a gap between reduced mindfulness and partner-level satisfaction. The study also lacks longitudinal data to track temporal dynamics.

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• “Smartphones have become a constant presence in everyday life, including romantic relationships,” — Tugba Türk Kurtça, Lead Author, Trakya University

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• “While technology offers many benefits, I became interested in how phone use during face-to-face interactions might affect partners’ feelings of connection and relationship experiences.” — Tugba Türk Kurtça, Lead Author, Trakya University

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• “One aspect of the study that I believe is particularly valuable is its dyadic design,” — Tugba Türk Kurtça, Lead Author, Trakya University

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• “One key takeaway is that seemingly small moments of distraction can matter in close relationships,” — Tugba Türk Kurtça, Lead Author, Trakya University

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• “Because the study was cross-sectional, it cannot establish causality,” — Tugba Türk Kurtça, Lead Author, Trakya University

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The researcher plans longitudinal and daily-diary studies to examine phubbing over time and to test protective factors such as communication patterns, emotional regulation, and relationship skills.

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