Exploring the Relationship Between ‘Partner Phubbing ' and Marital Satisfaction Among Married Couples in Selected Churches in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between partner phubbing and marital satisfaction among married couples in Nakuru County, Kenya. Its objectives included determining the prevalence of partner phubbing among married couples, assessing marital satisfaction among married couples, establishing the relationship between partner phubbing and marital satisfaction, and identifying measures that can be used to mitigate partner phubbing. The study adopted a pragmatist philosophy, which enabled the researcher to employ a convergent parallel mixed research design. The target population was 616,046 married couples. Both purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 392 respondents. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and interview schedule. The questionnaire consisted of the Couple Satisfaction Index (CSI) and the Partner Phubbing Scale (PPS). The thematic analysis approach was employed in qualitative data analysis, while descriptive and inferential statistics, including multiple linear regression and Pearson's correlation analysis, were utilized in quantitative data analysis. The study observed the required ethical requirements, including obtaining clearance from the Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (ISERC) of PAC University and a research permit from NACOSTI. Participation in the investigation was voluntary and free from coercion. The study found that phubbing behavior occurred at varying levels: 39.5% reported sometimes experiencing it in their marriages, 25.5% reported often experiencing it, 16.7% rarely, and 13.1% always, while 5.2% indicated they had never experienced phubbing in their relationship. Regarding marital satisfaction, 34.6% of respondents reported very high satisfaction, 28.8% moderate, and 23.2% high. In contrast, 10.8% of the respondents reported low marital satisfaction, while 2.6% indicated very low levels of marital satisfaction. The study further established that partner phubbing (t= 3.989, p=0) significantly affected the marital satisfaction of married couples. The standardized Beta coefficient suggested that partner phubbing had a weak negative impact (B= -0.223). As mitigation measures against phubbing, married couples set boundaries on phone usage (mean = 2.01, SD = 1.129), enhancing communication techniques (mean = 2.67, SD = 1.145), being mindful and present (mean = 2.48, SD = 1.131), and addressing the emotional impact of phubbing (mean = 2.53, SD = 1.174). The study concluded that partner phubbing significantly and negatively influences marital satisfaction, even in a situation where the effect is weak. The study recommended that education programs on marital relationships, therapists, and marital interventions adopt differentiated and tailored methodologies in efforts geared towards addressing phubbing, noting that its frequency and impact vary widely among couples. Additionally, marital therapists must assess how, when, and why phubbing occurs in each relationship, examining the underlying causes. This kind of context-sensitive assessment will be beneficial in developing personalized interventions to minimize phubbing-related issues among married couples.