Smartphone Addiction as a Predictor of Marital Dissatisfaction Among Married Couples: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

The rapid integration of smartphones into daily life has transformed interpersonal communication but has also raised concerns regarding compulsive use and its implications for intimate relationships. The present study examined smartphone addiction as a predictor of marital satisfaction among married couples in Pakistan using a correlational, cross-sectional design. A sample of 150 married individuals (75 couples), aged 18–45 years, was recruited from Islamabad and Rawalpindi through purposive sampling. Participants completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version (SAS-SV) and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), along with a demographic information form. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 20), employing reliability analysis and Pearson’s bivariate correlation. Results indicated satisfactory internal consistency for both instruments (α = .88 for SAS-SV; α = .82 for RAS). Findings revealed a significant negative correlation between smartphone addiction and marital satisfaction (r = −.24, p < .01), suggesting that higher levels of problematic smartphone use are associated with lower perceived marital satisfaction. These findings support displacement theory and technoference literature, highlighting how excessive smartphone engagement may disrupt emotional presence, communication quality, and relational intimacy. The study underscores the need for culturally sensitive digital wellness interventions and marital counseling strategies aimed at promoting healthy technology use within Pakistani marriages.