"I am also looking for a genuine connection…". Psychosocial implications of dating app use and problematic use of dating applications

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Bonilla Zorita, G. ORCID: 0000-0001-8689-7506, 2022. "I am also looking for a genuine connection…". Psychosocial implications of dating app use and problematic use of dating applications. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

With the appearance of dating applications, online dating became one of the most profitable online markets in today's society. Past research has investigated how online dating users present themselves, which personality correlates are more related to higher engagement of online dating, and negative outcomes of online dating (e.g., deception and sexual health risks). However, there has been scarce literature assessing the problematic use of online dating. Therefore, the present research project aimed to assess (i) the individual experience of dating app use and problematic use, (ii) the influence of structural characteristics in users’ behaviour and level of engagement, and (iii) the relation between mental health and dating app usage. To do this, different methodologies were employed including qualitative (i.e., ethnographic research and interviews), and quantitative research methods (i.e., questionnaire-based study and ecological momentary assessment via smartphone-based study). Results from the present research project found that (i) the design of dating applications aims to initiate and maintain users’ behaviour and promote behaviours like sex-search interactions, (ii) users experience needs frustration when using dating applications for an extended period of time, which leads them to halt their use of dating apps for a period of time, (iii) smartphone addiction is a significant mediator between online dating use and mental health correlates, (iv) relatedness frustration is a significant cross-cultural predictor of online dating use, (v) received notifications are associated with the wellbeing of dating app users, (vi) higher-engagement predicts feelings of craving for dating app use. Overall, this project has assessed how the use of dating applications influences users’ mental health, behaviours, and general engagement, providing novel evidence in the field of online dating and problematic use of online dating.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Bonilla Zorita, G.
Date:	March 2022
Rights:	This work is the intellectual property of the author. You may copy up to 5% of this work for private study, or personal, non‐commercial research. Any re‐use of the information contained within this document should be fully referenced, quoting the author, title, university, degree level and pagination. Queries or requests for any other use, or if a more substantial copy is required, should be directed in the owner(s) of the Intellectual Property Rights.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	19 Oct 2022 12:05
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2022 12:05
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/47274