Phubbed and Furious: Narcissists' Responses to Perceived Partner Phubbing

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Relationship Science

Background:

• Narcissism, characterized by grandiosity and a need for admiration, impacts interpersonal relationships.
• Phubbing (phone snubbing) is a prevalent behavior in romantic relationships with potential negative consequences.
• Understanding how narcissism influences reactions to phubbing is crucial for relationship well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of narcissism facets (rivalry and admiration) on responses to daily perceived partner phubbing.
• To examine the relationship between narcissism, well-being, and retaliatory behaviors in response to phubbing.
• To explore the motives behind retaliation in individuals with varying levels of narcissism.

Main Methods:

• Diary study design involving 196 participants.
• Assessment of narcissism facets (rivalry, admiration), personal/relational well-being, and phubbing experiences.
• Analysis of reactions to partner phubbing, including retaliation and its motives.

Main Results:

• Higher narcissism (rivalry) linked to lower self-esteem and poorer mood, while admiration correlated with better well-being and relationship satisfaction.
• Individuals high in rivalry reported increased curiosity, resentment, conflict, and retaliation when phubbed.
• Retaliation motives differed, with rivalry linked to seeking revenge and admiration less associated with boredom.

Conclusions:

• Narcissism significantly shapes how individuals perceive and react to partner phubbing.
• Phubbing may exacerbate existing relational difficulties for individuals high in narcissistic rivalry.
• Findings highlight the complex interplay between personality, technology use, and relationship health.