Partner Phubbing and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction in Indonesian Urban Couples: The Moderating Role of Attachment

Indonesia ranks among the world’s highest in mobile phone usage, particularly in urban areas where digital engagement is more intensive, raising concerns about its impact on romantic relationships. This study critically examines how partner phubbing, defined as ignoring a partner in favor of a phone, affects romantic relationship satisfaction among urban couples in Indonesia, and whether one’s perceived attachment moderates this effect. An online survey of 531 adults in committed, non–long-distance relationships (minimum one year) used the Generic Scale of Being Phubbed, the Relationship Assessment Scale, and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Scale. Results showed that partner phubbing significantly reduces romantic relationship satisfaction. Importantly, attachment avoidance, but not anxiety, exacerbates this effect, particularly among married individuals. These findings highlight the relational risks of digital distraction in an Indonesian context and identify attachment avoidance as a key psychological factor shaping vulnerability to the harms of phubbing.