Online dating: predictors of problematic tinder use - Université de Picardie Jules Verne Accéder directement au contenu
Article Dans Une Revue BMC Psychology Année : 2024

Online dating: predictors of problematic tinder use

Résumé

Background Geolocation apps have radically transformed dating practices around the world, with profound sociocultural implications. Few studies, however, have explored their addictive potential or factors that are associated with their misuse. Objective The present study aimed to assess the level of problematic Tinder use (PTU) in an adult sample, using a machine learning algorithm to determine, among 29 relevant variables, the most important predictors of PTU. Methods 1,387 users of Tinder (18–74 years-old; male = 50.3%; female = 49.1%) completed an online questionnaire, and a machine learning tool was used to analyze their responses. Results On 5-point scale, participants’ mean PTU score was 1.91 (SD = 0.70), indicating a relatively low overall level of problematic app use. Among the most important predictors of Problematic use were the use of Tinder for enhancement (reduce boredom and increase positive emotions), coping with psychological problems, and increasing social connectedness. The number of “matches” (when two users show mutual interest), the number of online contacts on Tinder, and the number of resulting offline dates were also among the top predictors of PTU. Depressive mood and loneliness were among the middle-ranked predictors of PTU. Conclusion In accordance with the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution model of problematic internet use, the results suggest that PTU relates to how individual experience on the app interacts with dispositional and situational characteristics. However, variables that seemed to relate to PTU, including lack of self-esteem, negative mood states and loneliness, are not problems that online dating services as currently designed can be expected to resolve. This argues for increased digital services to identify and address potential problems helping drive the popularity of dating apps.

Domaines

Psychologie

Dates et versions

hal-04494329 , version 1 (07-03-2024)

Identifiants

Citer

Germano Vera Cruz, Elias Aboujaoude, Lucien Rochat, Francesco Bianchi-Demicheli, Yasser Khazaal. Online dating: predictors of problematic tinder use. BMC Psychology, 2024, 12 (1), pp.106. ⟨10.1186/s40359-024-01566-3⟩. ⟨hal-04494329⟩

Collections

U-PICARDIE CRP-CPO
5 Consultations
0 Téléchargements

Altmetric

Partager

Gmail Facebook X LinkedIn More