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It might seem that phone distraction mainly affects the partner sitting there waiting.
A 2025 study involving 103 heterosexual couples found a more interconnected pattern.
Partner phubbing was related to demand-withdraw communication patterns, which were associated with couple satisfaction.
Importantly, the effects weren't confined entirely to one person.
The researchers found significant patterns involving both people's satisfaction.
A phone can belong to one person while the interruption it creates belongs to the relationship.
© Journal of Marital and Family Therapy (2025)