Phubbing in pregnancy as a predictor of postpartum depressive symptoms: preliminary results

Partner behavior toward pregnant women plays a significant role in maternal mental health. One of the common behaviors that negatively affects the quality of communication is phubbing. Phubbing is defined as ignoring a partner during face to face interaction in favor of a mobile phone. The present study examined the association between partner phubbing during pregnancy and postpartum depression. Thirty expectant couples were recruited from a gynecological outpatient clinic in Italy and assessed longitudinally during the first trimester, third trimester, and within three months postpartum. Women completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and seven-day web-based observational diaries assessing perceived partner phubbing at each time point, while male partners completed the Phubbing Scale. Results indicated that women's perceived experiences of partner phubbing during the third trimester statistically predicted the severity of postpartum depressive symptoms. In contrast, partners' self-reported phubbing frequency was not associated with women's postpartum depression. These findings underscore the importance of psychoeducation for couples during pregnancy regarding phubbing and its potential negative consequences, and identify the third trimester as a particularly sensitive period for partner behaviors related to attention and respect.