Longitudinal links between perceived partner phubbing, need fulfilment and marital satisfaction in Chinese newlywed couples

Perceived partner phubbing has emerged as a significant factor associated with reduced marital satisfaction, yet the longitudinal associations between perceived partner phubbing, need fulfilment and marital satisfaction remain understudied. To address this gap, the present study examined the reciprocal prospective associations between these variables. A sample of 310 Chinese heterosexual newlywed couples (Mage = 28.92, SD = 2.92 for husbands; Mage = 27.96, SD = 2.57 for wives) completed questionnaires assessing perceived partner phubbing, need fulfilment and marital satisfaction at three time points with 6‐month intervals. Our findings revealed bidirectional associations between need fulfilment and perceived partner phubbing/marital satisfaction, but only among husbands. Among wives, unidirectional associations were observed from need fulfilment to perceived partner phubbing/marital satisfaction, as well as from marital satisfaction to perceived partner phubbing. These findings shed light on gender differences in the dynamic associations between perceived partner phubbing, need fulfilment and marital satisfaction and extend existing research within the framework of self‐determination theory.