Associations between online dating platform use and mental and sexual health among a mixed sexuality college student sample
Journal
Computers in Human Behavior
Series/Report No.
Computers in Human Behavior
Journal Volume
144
Start Page
107727
ISSN
0747-5632
Date Issued
2023-07-01
Author(s)
DOI
10.1016/j.chb.2023.107727
Abstract
Online dating platforms (ODPs) are becoming increasingly common, and their use may have mental and sexual health implications. The purpose of the present study was to examine facets of sexual and mental health among a mixed sexuality sample of ODP users, while also considering how user motivations (e.g., sexual or romantic reasons) may confer greater risk for health concerns. Using a sample of 2052 college students, the present study found that sensation seeking and substance use predicted using ODPs for sexual reasons, but not romantic reasons, compared to individuals who do not use ODPs. Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) predicted the use of ODPs for both sexual and romantic reasons. There was also an indirect effect between internalizing symptoms and sexual risk-taking via CSB among individuals who do not use ODPs and individuals who use ODPs for sexual reasons. Effect sizes in the present study were generally small and findings should be interpreted with caution. Mental and sexual health concerns might be associated with using ODPs for sexual reasons and may also contribute to sexual risk-taking. Future research exploring these relationships in samples of treatment seekers or populations affected by health disparities may identify larger, more meaningful effects.
Subjects
Compulsive sexual behavior
Mental health
Online dating platforms
Sexual health
Sexual risk-taking
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article