Dyadic Time Diary and Experience Sampling Method Evidence on Couples’ Time Together from the National Couples’ Health and Time Study

We examined couples time together and device use in the National Couples’ Health and Time Study. We examined two samples: the main respondent time diary sample that included 1898 main respondents and 16604 activities, and 175 main respondents and 175 partners who completed their time diaries on the same day and were in the same place at the same time and who agree they were together, representing 1198 couple activities. Overall, we found in the main respondent time diary sample, being on a device was associated with less momentary happiness, higher momentary stress, and less momentary engagement. In the dyadic file, when, according to the participant, partners were involved in the activity when the couple was together, participants were happier and more engaged. Further, when the participant was on their device while with their partner, the participant was less happy and less engaged. Finally, there was no association between the partner using their device and the participant’s happiness, stress, or engagement.