Treatment Strategies for Online Role-Playing Gaming Problems in Couples

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

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.

The Dyadic Association among Technoference and Relationship and Sexual Satisfaction of Young Adult Couples

Technology use within relationships has been shown to produce potential rewards and costs that influence relationship development and/or sustainment; however, the negative influence of modern technology (i.e., smartphone, computer, tablet, and/or television) use in romantic relationships during quality time spent together (i.e., technoference) remains an understudied area. Even less is known about the effects of technoference on young adult couples' relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction. The current study utilized a descriptive correlational survey design with 158 young adult couples. We used actor-partner interdependence modeling to test the dyadic associations between technoference and relationship and sexual satisfaction among the young adult couple sample. Results indicated statistically significant negative actor effects between technoference and relationship and sexual satisfaction and statistically significant negative partner effects between technoference and relationship satisfaction.

Baby with the Bathwater? Examining the Relationship between Video Game Use and Relationship Outcomes and the Moderating Effects of Attachment Behaviors among Married Casual Gamers

We examined whether time together as a problem mediates the link between frequency of video game use and relational outcomes (relationship quality, relational aggression, physical aggression) among 431 married couples. We also examined the moderating effect of couple attachment behaviors on the association between time together as a problem and outcomes. There was no support for a direct or indirect relationship between gaming and outcomes; however, time together as a problem was consistently related to outcomes. Additionally, husband's and wife's attachment behaviors moderated the association between women's reports of time together as a problem and men's relational aggression. Clinical implications are discussed.

Computer-Mediated Communication in Intimate Relationships: Associations of Boundary Crossing, Intrusion, Relationship Satisfaction, and Partner Responsiveness

This study examined the impact of technology on couples in committed relationships through the lens of the couple and technology framework. Specifically, we used data from 6,756 European couples to examine associations between online boundary crossing, online intrusion, relationship satisfaction, and partner responsiveness. The results suggest that participants' reports of online boundary crossing were linked with lower relationship satisfaction and partner responsiveness. Also, lower relationship satisfaction and partner responsiveness were associated with increased online boundary crossing. The results suggest that men, but not women, who reported greater acceptability for online boundary crossing were more likely to have partners who reported lower relationship satisfaction in their relationships. Implications for clinicians, relationship educators, and researchers are discussed.

"Technoference" and Implications for Mothers' and Fathers' Couple and Coparenting Relationship Quality

Technology devices are widely used today, creating opportunities to connect and communicate with distant others while also potentially disrupting communication and interactions between those who are physically present (i.e., technoference or phubbing). These disruptions in couple and coparenting relationships have the potential to negatively impact relationship outcomes. In this two-part study of 182 married/cohabiting couples from the Daily Family Life Project and 239 couples from the Couple Well-Being Project, we examined the role of technoference in couple and coparenting relationship quality and potential gender differences utilizing dyadic data. We found that greater technoference related to greater conflict over technology use, and greater conflict predicted lower relationship satisfaction and poorer perceptions of coparenting quality (Study 1). Using a more diverse sample (Study 2), we again found support for the main pathways tested in our first study, suggesting that results found in Study 1 and in previous work are not artifacts of sampling. As satisfaction, support, and agreement among relationship partners and parents are often critical to relationship health and family cohesion, it is important for couples and families to evaluate, monitor, and be willing to adapt their technology usage patterns so that these patterns do not cause conflict and possibly relationship deterioration over time.