Mobile Phone and Family Happiness, Mediating Role of Marital Communication: An Attachment Theory Perspective

— Mobile phone communication has established itself as an essential element of people’s personal and working lives. Thus, it has become a significant connection for the most intimate form of interpersonal relations, including marital relationships. Based on the attachment theory perspective, this research highlights the importance of mobile phone usage and its influence on marital communication’s life satisfaction and family happiness through the underlying mechanism of marital communication. Using a short cross-sectional field survey, data from 120 respondents were collected. The target sample was married partners, staff, or students, each possessing a mobile phone in the state-owned universities in South Kalimantan and North Sumatera, Indonesia. Data were further analyzed using SmartPLS3. The results revealed that mobile phone usage was positively associated with martial communication that further resulted in satisfaction with life and family happiness. Hence, based on the attachment theory perspective, the communication with the spouse results in maintaining a robust intimate relationship by keeping in touch, sharing updates, emotions, feelings, knowing about children, and ensuring each other’s safety through using a mobile phone. The findings showed a significant need for continued communi cation in a marital relationship, especially using the fastest and most comfortable means. Given the synchronous nature of mobile phone communication, current research provided multiple insights and avenues of future exploration for social scientists in this Information Society, where we need updates from our spouses, children, friends, and the situation at large.


Introduction
Mobile phone communication has established itself as an element of 'human's personal and working lives. Thus, it has become significant for interpersonal relationships' most intimate form: the marital relationship [1]. Nowadays, it is ubiquitous for couples to keep connected through a short-medium of mobile phone technology [2]. Couples communicating through technology get the ease and benefit of swift coordination, allowing them to correspond to all sorts of circumstances or crises [3].  The Attachment theory was extended to adult romantic relationships in the late 1980s by Cindy Hazan and Phillip Shaver. The attachment means an affectional bond or tie between an individual and an attachment figure (usually a caregiver) [16]. According to [17], [18], four adult attachment styles can be recognized by keeping into consideration the internal working model of close attachment. These styles include dismissing, possessive, fearful, and secure based on someone's image of his/her partner. All levels of relationships can get influenced by the attachment style. Therefore, it wields a substantial impact on the communication between the partners. It is assumed that attachment style also influences mobile communication in couple relationships. One of the technical features of mobile communication is being accessible independent of time and location. [8] argue that, across cultures, communication tools are used by the people to maximize their confirms and needs, which resulted in new means of interaction among them.
The influence of attachment style can be postulated in all levels of the relationship, hence impacting the communication between the partners. For instance, it has been empirically demonstrated that securely attached persons relate more frequently and intimately with their partners than dismissing attachment types. It is assumed that attachment style also influences mobile communication in couple relationships. Being reachable independent of time and location, for instance, is an inherent technical feature of mobile communication. However, it must be implemented concerning the partner (partner taking the cell phone with him/her, turning it on, answering calls). The attachment theory guides the present study to explain the importance of mobile phones and marital communication. Katz and Aakhus [19] argue that, across cultures, people use communication tools in ways that maximize their needs and comforts, often resulting in the invention of new ways people interact. Similarly, [18] demonstrated that mobile technology's advent enabled us to develop a particular communication pattern in close relationships, referred to as the 'connected mode of communication.

2.2
The association of mobile phone use with the satisfaction with life, family happiness and marital communication Prior studies suggest that incorporating technology in daily life routine, specifically in relationship maintenance and coordination among partners, is beneficial [7,20]. Some studies indicate that individuals who communicate through multiple media such as cell phones and emails have stronger family relationships than those who communicate only face to face [8]. [21] His study revealed that technology enables families to remain connected, and they can share their matters over mobile phones as smartphones have replaced computers in many ways, like gaming and educational apps [22]. Literature reveals that individuals in romantic relationships used mobile phones significantly more often than those not romantically involved [8]. The use of technological devices like smartphones for communication has become a significant part of' 'everyone's lives [13,14]. It helps them connect and interact with their better half to build up further and bolster their marriage [23] by better life connection. Thus, it can be argued that through mobile phone communication, people can strengthen their family bonds, build mutual support, which ultimately strengthens their bond and does not make them feel alone or neglected, further leading towards family happiness. Expectedly bringing more satisfaction and connected communication with joy in the family. Hence, the following hypotheses are suggested; Strong marital communication among married couples invigorates satisfaction with life and reinforces family happiness. Scholars have named this ease of access with a mobile phone as an immediate and convenient interaction [24]. This allows couples to collaborate and keep in touch as smartphones allow communicative techniques and multidimensional methods [25]. Therefore, it is argued that well-established marital communication is expected to lead to a satisfied and happy life. Conclusively, the following hypotheses are suggested;

Mediation
Researchers observed that satisfaction comes when the couples frequently stay connected to each other, and their 'texting pattern or attitude equates to each other [11]. This suggests that a longer relationship exists between married couples when they are frequently keeping in touch, which is more effective by using a medium that makes it possible in an effective way, i.e., a mobile phone. Moreover, [13] suggested that the relationship between satisfaction and closeness increases in couples with active communication among them through smartphones. On the other hand, technological advancements have now made it possible to communicate in ways that were never possible before, such as covering up long-distance relationships [4]. This further reveals the importance of marital communication among married couples through mobile phones and further showing towards the path of happiness and happy life, as this technology reduces long distances. Because a mobile phone facilitates the marital bond a level of closeness and strength [26], which leads to a happy life. Therefore, based on attachment theory, improved communication between married couples through a communicative device such as a mobile phone is expected to lead towards more happiness and satisfaction in life. Hence, the following hypotheses are suggested;

Theoretical framework of the study
Based on introduction and theoritical background and hypotheis development, then the theoretical framework of the study can see on Figure 1.

Methodology
Using a short cross-sectional field survey, data from 120 respondents were collected. The target sample was married partners, each possessing a mobile phone, staff, or students who can fully understand the survey language English, in one of the stateowned universities in South Kalimantan and North Sumatera, Indonesia. After ensuring a pre-conditions convenience random sampling technique was used, the study's purpose was briefed, and anonymity was guaranteed to seek voluntary participation. In total, 170 questionnaires were distributed, and 141 were received back, which were further scrutinized, and 21 more responses were excluded from data. A total of 120 responses was analyzed with a final response rate of 70.58%. The male & Female respondents were 50 percent; equally, nationals accounted for the highest number of respondents (70%); the age-group of 26-32 years old reported the highest percentage of 53.3, followed by (33 years & above) with 40 percent and 19-25 years with 6.7 percent. The spouses with 1-3 years dominated the sample with 40 percent, followed by (more than seven years) with 33.3 percent. Spouses staying together accounted for 60 percent, while those in long-distance relationships were recorded as 40%. Spouses who have used the mobile phone for 1-3 years reported a higher percentage of 43.3% compared to others.
The mobile phone use was measured using three statements adapted from [27] with the scale ranging from never to frequently. Family happiness was measured with a 15-items scale based on 5 statements adapted from the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) [28] on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "1=strongly disagree" to "5=strongly agree". Marital Communication was measured using a 10-item scale adapted from [29]. The Satisfaction with Life Scale was measured using a 5-item scale adapted from [30].

Data analysis and results
Statistics, correlation analysis, and one-way ANOVA to find out the information about control variables. ANOVA results revealed that age and period in marriage significantly affected the dependent variable; therefore, both were controlled during further analysis. To test the current study's hypotheses, PLS-SEM (Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model) in SmartPLS version 3.2.8 was used [31,32,33]. This study has focused more on PLS-SEM as compared to CB-SEM (Covariance Based-Structural Equation Model). It can predict more than one dependent variable and is mostly used for theory development. As the sample of this study is small (n=120). Therefore, PLS-SEM is considered appropriate for a small sample size. This approach consists of two steps. In the first step, we test the measurement model, and in the second step, we analyzed the structural model.
The measurement model was further evaluated based on validity and reliability. It includes individual and composite reliability verified through factor loadings (λ must be greater than 0.7) and Cronbach's alpha values that must be greater than 0.6 or 0.7 [34,35]. The values of Cronbach's alpha values and composite reliability are beyond the critical values (0.6 or 0.7), indicating the reliability of constructs. Convergent validity verified through AVE (Average Variance Extracted) that should be more than 0.5. In the current case, the AVEs values are above 0.5, suggesting that items are valid [36]. Discriminant validity also comes under the assessment of the measurement model. To check the discriminant validity, the square root of the AVE of every construct in the model must exceed the correlation between the constructs [37]. All the values of reliability and validity are in range and given in Table 1. The HTMT values are also used for discriminant validity, and it should be ≤ 0.85. shown in (Table 2 and Figure 2), the values of HTMT are lower than ≤ 0.85 indicating the validity of items [32].

Discussion and implications, limitations and future research directions and conclusion
The positive association of mobile phone usage with marital communication, satisfaction with life, and family happiness are in line with the results of [21]. Likewise, the findings suggest that mobile phones provide and facilitate the marital bond as a level of closeness and strength [24], which leads to a happy life. As previous research has stated, coordinated activities among partners, a symbol of relationship maintenance which depicts close bonding among them [16,38], is a secret of living a happy life. Besides, 'respondents' reasons for communicating with a spouse using a mobile phone could be summed as; keeping up with updates, sharing feelings and emotions, strengthening the relationship, knowing about the children, keeping closer, sharing each 'other's problems and difficulties, e.g., about studies, it is the easiest way to communicate (you can get immediate feedback). Seeking attention and responding to others' care is an essential means of maintaining relationships. The mobile phone comes in handy as a crucial tool for managing engagement [20,34].
Further, it can be stated that marital communication via mobile phones strengthens marriage by knowing each other's worries and fears to understand each other [39,40] better. Moreover, this study findings have revealed significant results that concluded that mobile phone integration into married couples is a must to strengthen their bond with each other and generate a good and happy life. Academically this study contributed to the existing literature by analyzing the positive association that a mobile phone can have in a married couple's life through marital communication. Also, this study has an integrated theory of attachment in the marital context. Practically, in real life, this study highlighted the vital role of mobile phone usage [41,42,43] in marital communication covering up various aspects in human life, i.e., emotional sharing even distant, reminding each other of chores, and task sharing, etc. This research has contributed to the body of knowledge in several ways, such as a unique contribution to literature related to the research's mobile phone stream.
A rare study integrating human interaction attachment theory into mobile phone studies and family happiness and satisfaction studies. A novel contribution to Eastern Indonesian cultural context where marriage has a different contextual condition than Western studies. An advance to the current body of knowledge by hypothesizing and confirming marital communication mediation between mobile phone use based on attachment theory and its outcomes. This research provided several insights for future scholars to investigate the model in a more significant sample with a longitudinal study design for better generalizability as a cross-sectional design, and low data sample are significant limitations of this research. Multiple mediating and moderating variables are recommended to be explored between mobile phone use and its outcomes.