You have full access to this open access dating. Despite the constant growth in the use of online dating sites and mobile dating applications, research examining potential problematic use of online dating has remained scarce. Findings suggest that personality correlates such as neuroticism, sociability, sensation-seeking, and sexual permissiveness are related to greater use of online dating services. Sex-search and self-esteem enhancement are predictors of problematic use of online dating. Previous research coincides with online dating addiction e.
Observations regarding methodological weaknesses and future research implications are included. Back inMatch. Inlocation-based smartphone dating applications first appeared, which allowed users to access online dating anytime and anywhere, making them ubiquitous.
Regarding the ubiquity of online dating, Jung dating al. Greater use of online dating may not necessarily imply the existence of problematic use. However, previous literature in the field of internet disorders has found that extended use higher frequency of use is related to higher scores on smartphone addiction Haug et al. Yet, extended use is not sufficient to describe problematic use of online dating.
Addiction aetiology and maintenance may be a reflection of diverse factors of different nature i. Hence, an interdisciplinary explanation i. In the scope of internet disorders, and more specifically addiction to social networking sites SNSsprevious research internet reported that availability increases the number of people engaged in the activity, which can lead to excessive use Kuss and Griffiths In terms of mental health problems, previous literature has noted a positive correlation between depressive symptoms and time spent on SNSs Panticthe use of smartphones for different purposes, including SNSs and other media services e.
Considering the similarities of SNSs and online addiction sites and applications and similar findings in online dating research e. In that sense, Pantic concluded that SNS use has created changes in how individuals relate to each addiction in the present time making social interactions more shallow and decreasing communication with family members Pantic At the same time, online dating may potentially change the dating scene because of the growth in popularity and ubiquity of the service due to smartphone applications.
Online Dating Statistics
Previous literature highlighted that time needed to form long-lasting relationships romantic and platonic is mismatched with the time users spent on online dating for that same purpose establishing a long-term relationshipthus favouring casual encounters over other types of dates Yeo and Fung that may potentially lead addiction longer-lasting relationships and stronger bonding.
Social changes in relation to dating may not necessarily lead to detrimental effects. However, research is needed to assess what types of changes are produced internet the inclusion of online dating in our day-to-day life and how these changes affect individuals in a multidisciplinary perspective. Contrary to other internet disorders, problematic online dating research is still in its initial stage, and as of today, online dating has not been particularly studied in terms of its problematic use.
Considering the extended use that online dating services have in the present, and the concerns at the individual level i. Consequently, the aim of the present paper is to review the empirical evidence examining the use and problematic use of online dating. Considering that previous literature concerning problematic use of online dating is scarce, the structure of this present review has been designed to assess and discuss relevant factors related to online dating use that may serve as the basis for further study of problematic use addiction online dating.
A total of studies were identified which produced a final selection of 43 studies after inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied see Fig. Studies were excluded if they i primarily concerned cyberbullying and its derivatives, ii primarily concerned scams, and iii did not assess online dating as the main variable under investigation. This yielded 43 studies see Table 1only two of which specifically covered potential addiction to online dating.
This section has been divided into six subsections which cover: i usage and motivation, ii personality correlates, iii negative correlates, iv impulsive behaviour, v substance use and behavioural addictions, and vi problematic use of online dating. A total of eleven studies were found that examined the characteristics of use or motivations of online dating use.
Out of the eleven studies, there were ten quantitative studies, all of which were cross-sectional Corriero and Tong ; Gunter ; Hance et al. One study examined heterosexual respondents only Hwangand another study focused on internet homosexual populations only Corriero and Tongand the remaining studies did not differentiate between sexual orientations.
They were asked to complete an online survey that contained a subscale on active intentions from the Dating Go here Survey Calvert et al.
However, there was no difference regarding income or education. Furthermore, in relation to age, it appeared that adults aged between 30 and 50 years were the most active users. Asians and Latinos and within the same group i. In order to do this, demographic measures i.
Generally, dating online intra-racially was favoured over inter-racial dating. However, men were found to be higher in willingness to date inter-racially in comparison to women. Nonetheless, considering the specificity of the sample, these results cannot be extrapolated to the general population. Further studies should consider including variability in terms kinder dating app sexual orientations and cultural background read article see if these findings can be replicated.
Taken together, the previous four studies indicate that young adult men are the most active online dating users tending to date intra-racially. However, three of these hookup in i.
Gunter ; Houran and Lange ; Valkenburg and Peter were carried out before the launch of smartphone dating apps, the appearance of which could have resulted in different findings.
Excitement and unpredictability
Regarding psychological characteristics of users, Kim dating al. Furthermore, they found that users high in social skills i. On the contrary, individuals with low self-esteem and low relationship involvement together with high sociability were found to be more active users internet to less sociable participants, and those whose self-esteem was high but who scored low on relationship involvement, or vice versa.
To clarify, the effect was internet found in the interaction between self-esteem and relationship involvement among those high in sociability. Seemingly, being sociable appears as an important internet of higher online dating use. In contrast to these results, a small survey by Stinson and Jeske of participants found that peer pressure influenced the decision to use online dating services instead of personality factors e.
The authors claimed that it may be due to the spreading popularity of online dating that personality features were not as predictive in regard to usage tendency. In a study of respondents, Menkin et al. Conversely, if users were concerned about their own personal information, health and privacy, then their desire for uncertainty decreased. Therefore, it may be argued that those young users who are looking for casual sex encounters put themselves at higher risk than those who are not looking for sex. This hypothesis is discussed in a later section.
In more general terms, online daters search for companionship, comfort after a life crisis, control over the presentation of oneself to others, to refrain from commitment and societal boundaries, new experiences, and romantic fantasies Lawson and Leck In relation to control over self-presentation, it has been claimed that individuals with high rejection—sensitivity tend to feel more comfortable to express themselves in the online medium, and those who feel more comfortable expressing themselves online are found to score higher internet online dating use Hance et al.
One of the reasons for dating rejection—sensitive individuals internet engage more in the online dating arena may be related to feeling less constrained to show internet i.
Nonetheless, it appears that common features in online dating like the absence of time limits i. In a study of secondary survey data from US participants, Paul found that couples who met online had higher split up rates in comparison to partners who met addiction.
Arguably, typical features of online dating services and apps such as asynchronous communication and selective self-presentation may negatively affect the quality of a long-term relationship between two online daters. Consequently, further studies are needed in the form of longitudinal designs that addiction help establish the causes that affect the quality of relationships initiated via online dating services. Overall, the results of this subsection show that the use of online dating platforms is widespread and has grown rapidly in the past few years.
In terms of use, younger adult men appear to be the most prevalent users of online dating services. In terms of motivations to use online dating, men favour sex appeal more compared to women. Regarding psychological characteristics, it appears that high sociability and high rejection—sensitivity are associated with higher use of online dating services.
The studies reviewed suggest that there are some features in online dating services i. Nonetheless, there are some methodological weaknesses e. As to the design, the research should consider dating approaches to help establish the direction of causality i. Considering the association that exists between specific personality correlates and patterns of use, a total of seven studies Blackhart et al.
All the studies assessed used quantitative and cross-sectional methods. Blackhart et al. This association was also reported in a study addiction US heterosexual participants Findings suggested that those high in sensation-seeking used addiction dating apps to look for casual partners and romantic dates Chan The authors also found associations between dating towards people, sensation-seeking, and higher use of smartphones with increased dating app use, and a direct relationship between smartphone use and dating app use.
Arguably, there may be an association between excessive smartphone use and dating app use. They reported a positive correlation between sexual permissiveness and dating app use for casual sex dates.
How do apps give us a dopamine hit?
The authors also found that the odds ratio for likelihood of being an active user increased by 1. Thrill of excitement also works as a motivation for online dating https://passive-income.info/matchmaking-server-picker.php use for sensation-seeking individuals.
There appears to be agreement concerning the relationship between some personality traits and the motives for online dating use Sumter and Vandenbosch Results provided significant correlations between personality traits and online dating gratifications.
For example, neuroticism was significantly related to identity gratification, which means that individuals high in neuroticism pursue the creation of their own identity by being free to choose what to show to others. Openness to experience was found to be associated with being social when using online dating sites. Disagreeable individuals were found to use online dating sites to be social and to search for companions.
Conversely, those who scored low in disagreeableness were found to use online dating dating with peer pressure i. Internet, conscientiousness was correlated with continue reading a romantic relationship. Also, the authors included addiction and sexual orientation in the model in order to relate them to personality traits and dating gratifications.
Significant associations were found between homosexual participants and gratifications of relationship and sex.
I Was Addicted To Dating Apps. Here's What Happened When I Deleted Them For Good.
Additionally, homosexuals were found to score higher on neuroticism, together with heterosexual women. It has already been noted that neurotic individuals aim to form their own identity via online bakersfield dating sites Clemens et al. In terms of dating traits, the authors reported that participants low in openness to experience were more likely to misrepresent themselves on online dating sites in order to appear more appealing.
Neurotic individuals, who have been claimed to pursue control internet their online representation, were not found to misrepresent themselves Hall et al. Regarding attachment styles, Chin et al. A multivariate regression analysis was performed utilising data from the Attachment Style Questionnaire Simpson et al. Results showed differences in use depending on the type of attachment and reported those with anxious attachment patterns tended to use online dating more than avoidant types.
The results in this section indicate that there is dating relationship between the use of dating apps and personality characteristics, such as low conscientiousness, high sensation-seeking, and sexual dating. The relationship suggests that individuals high in sensation-seeking and sexual permissiveness use dating app services for casual sexual encounters. Further research should study the relationship between sensation-seeking and sexual permissiveness with the use of dating apps.