Most couples make efforts to strengthen their relationships through various ways, such as supporting each other in daily tasks. However, a very common habit can prove destructive for marriages: when one partner seems emotionally or mentally “unavailable.”

A recent study in the UK identified Phubbing—the act of ignoring one’s spouse while being engrossed in a mobile phone—as highly damaging to relationships. Researchers at the University of Southampton explained that when an individual spends more time on their phone instead of focusing on their partner, it creates feelings of neglect and rejection.

According to the study, even though phubbing may appear to be a small and harmless habit, for married couples these seemingly minor moments accumulate over time, making one partner feel unimportant. This sense of emotional distance gradually erodes intimacy and trust.

The researchers emphasized that nearly everyone finds phubbing irritating, but its long-term consequences are particularly harmful for couples where one partner already struggles with anxiety or insecurity. For such individuals, being ignored in favor of a phone worsens feelings of depression, low self-esteem, and emotional instability.

The study involved 196 couples who were asked to keep diaries for ten days, recording how their spouse used mobile phones, what emotions it triggered, and how they reacted. Findings revealed that individuals with anxiety issues responded more negatively to phubbing and often turned to others—friends or family—for comfort. While this provided temporary relief, it also further weakened the marital bond.

Researchers clarified that while phubbing does not cause direct physical harm, it represents a form of emotional aggression that damages a relationship’s foundation.

These findings were published in the Journal of Personality.

Interestingly, a similar study in Turkey at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University in October 2023 involving 712 couples (average age 37) also confirmed the link between smartphone overuse and marital dissatisfaction. The study concluded that the more time a husband or wife spends on their phone, the more strained the relationship becomes.

Though phubbing has gradually gained social acceptance, the Turkish researchers stressed it remains a destructive habit for married couples. Being ignored—even subtly—makes people feel undervalued, increasing quarrels and emotional distance in marriages.

👉 In essence, what appears to be a simple habit of scrolling on your phone can silently become one of the leading reasons relationships break apart.