Internet Addiction and Marital Satisfaction among Urban Couples

Introduction: The present study focused on measuring the relationship between internet addiction and marital satisfaction among couples residing in Urban Bangalore. Internet addiction has attracted increasing attention in the popular media and among researchers. Method: A mixed method study was conducted among 104 couples residing in Urban Bangalore identified through convenient and purposive sampling. In phase 1, The Young’s Internet Addiction Test and ENRICH Marital satisfaction scale were administered on couples to measure marital satisfaction and internet addiction. In phase 2, interviews were conducted based on open ended questions developed by the researchers to identify the role of internet in relationship values, communication and happiness. Results: Pearson’s product moment Correlation was used for Phase 1 and thematic and content analysis for Phase 2. The findings from Phase 1 revealed a weak correlation between marital satisfaction and Internet addiction among couples, weak negative correlation between marital satisfaction and Internet addiction in the case of wives and weak correlation between marital satisfaction and Internet addiction in husbands. The thematic analysis showed positive and negative effects of the Internet on relationship values, communication and happiness among couples. Conclusion: The present study helps to understand whether a relationship exists between Internet addiction and marital satisfaction and reflects on how Internet has affected relationship values, communication and happiness among urban married couples.