Partner phubbing and depression among married Chinese adults: The roles of relationship satisfaction and relationship length

- Partner phubbing had a negative effect on relationship satisfaction.
- Relationship satisfaction had a negative effect on depression.
- Partner phubbing had an indirect positive impact on depression via relationship satisfaction.
- Relationship length moderated the relation between partner phubbing and relationship satisfaction.

Although relationship satisfaction has been shown to play an important role in married adults' depression, it is less clear whether partner phubbing can undermine relationship satisfaction and increase the risk of depression. The current study investigated the indirect effect of partner phubbing on depression via relationship satisfaction and the moderating role of relationship length in this indirect effect. Two hundred forty-three married Chinese adults participated in the study. The results indicated that partner phubbing had a negative effect on relationship satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction had a negative effect on depression. Partner phubbing had an indirect positive impact on depression via relationship satisfaction, and this indirect effect only existed among those married more than seven years. Results indicate that partner phubbing is a significant risk factor for depression among those married more than seven years.