Predicting Marital Distress Based on Phubbing Behavior and Rejection Sensitivity Among Married Adults: A Cross-Sectional Predictive Study

Objective: This study examined whether perceived partner phubbing and rejection sensitivity predict marital distress among married adults, and whether rejection sensitivity moderates the association between phubbing and marital distress.

Methods and Materials: Using a cross-sectional design in 2025, 260 married adults from Mashhad completed self-report measures of marital distress (reverse-scored Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale), perceived partner phubbing (Partner Phubbing Scale), rejection sensitivity (Adult Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire), and demographic variables. Pearson correlations assessed bivariate associations. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses examined the incremental predictive value of phubbing and rejection sensitivity beyond demographics. A moderated regression model tested the interaction between phubbing and rejection sensitivity.

Results: Marital distress correlated positively with partner phubbing (r = .41, p < .001) and rejection sensitivity (r = .47, p < .001). In regression analyses, demographics explained 7% of the variance in marital distress. Adding partner phubbing increased explained variance to 18%. Including rejection sensitivity further increased explained variance to 30%; both phubbing (β = .25, p < .001) and rejection sensitivity (β = .39, p < .001) were significant predictors. Moderation analysis showed a significant interaction (β = .16, p = .008, ΔR² = .02): the association between phubbing and marital distress was stronger at higher levels of rejection sensitivity.

Conclusions: Perceived partner phubbing and rejection sensitivity jointly and uniquely predict marital distress. Rejection-sensitive spouses appear particularly vulnerable to the relational costs of phubbing, underscoring the need to address both digital-boundary behaviors and rejection-related cognitions in couple interventions.