THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MARRIED COUPLES IN LUSAKA DISTRICT, ZAMBIA

Author

Getrude Chansa, Dr. T Velmurugan


Abstract

 Social media is increasingly embedded in intimate relationships, yet evidence on its psychological implications for married couples in Zambia remains limited. This study examined the psychological impact of social media use on emotional intimacy and communication, marital satisfaction, and trust-related experiences among married respondents in Lusaka District. A cross-sectional descriptive and explanatory survey was conducted using questionnaire data from 300 respondents. Descriptive statistics were complemented by Spearman rank-order correlations and an exploratory binary logistic regression predicting trust-related account checking. Social media exposure was high: 58.7% used social media at least daily. Quality-time displacement was common, with 84.0% reporting that social media reduced time with their spouse at least sometimes. Most respondents (53.3%) reported that social media never helped them feel emotionally connected, while 41.3% had checked a spouse’s social media account because of trust concerns. More frequent social media use was associated with more frequent arguments about social media (ρ = .273, p < .001), while reduced quality time was associated with the overall marital-satisfaction influence rating (ρ = .435, p < .001). In the multivariable model, more frequent use was associated with higher odds of trust-related account checking (AOR = 2.003, 95% CI [1.389, 2.887], p < .001), as was greater suspicion/mistrust (AOR = 1.300, 95% CI [1.083, 1.560], p = .005); longer marital duration was associated with lower odds (AOR = 0.587, 95% CI [0.479, 0.719], p < .001). The findings indicate that social media is neither uniformly harmful nor beneficial. Its relational significance appears to operate through attention displacement, trust and privacy processes, boundary ambiguity and coping practices. Couple-level digital boundaries, protected quality time and trust-focused communication are recommended. Longitudinal and dyadic research is needed to establish temporal ordering and partner effects.


Keywords

social media; married couples; marital satisfaction; emotional intimacy; trust; phubbing; Lusaka; Zambia



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References


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