Dating Apps and Their Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Correlates: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The emergence and popularization of dating apps have changed the way people meet and interact with potential romantic and sexual partners. In parallel with the increased use of these applications, a remarkable scientific literature has developed. However, due to the recency of the phenomenon, some gaps in the existing research can be expected. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the empirical research of the psychosocial content published in the last five years (2016–2020) on dating apps. A search was conducted in different databases, and we identified 502 articles in our initial search. After screening titles and abstracts and examining articles in detail, 70 studies were included in the review. The most relevant data (author/s and year, sample size and characteristics, methodology) and their findings were extracted from each study and grouped into four blocks: user dating apps characteristics, usage characteristics, motives for use, and benefits and risks of use. The limitations of the literature consulted are discussed, as well as the practical implications of the results obtained, highlighting the relevance of dating apps, which have become a tool widely used by millions of people around the world.

Do young dating app users and non-users differ in mating orientations?

“…In addition, as regards the prevalence of use of dating apps among the participants in the last three months, 20.3% of users were found among those who were singles (12.7% of the total sample), which represents a medium-low prevalence compared to other studies [ 2 , 3 , 5 – 7 ], although it should be noted that, in these studies, sampling was aimed at finding people who used dating apps [ 1 ].…”

“…In recent years, dating apps have become a very popular tool to initiate contact with potential romantic and/or sexual partners [ 1 ]. Geolocation applications (e.g., Tinder, Grindr) have made it especially easy to communicate and meet other users who are geographically close [ 2 ].…”

“…The motivations for using dating apps are determined by the users’ individual characteristics [ 1 ]. Sociodemographic variables (i.e., sex, age, and sexual orientation) are those with a higher relationship with the use of apps [ 9 , 10 ].…”

Preference towards HIV Self-Testing above Other Testing Options in a Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men from Five European Countries

“…The dissemination of the survey was mainly performed through gay geo-spatial “dating” applications and websites that were previously identified by members of the research team who worked in Community Based Organizations (CBO). Geo-spatial applications are a widespread tool to meet new sexual partners and are an efficient way of recruitment [ 31 ]. However, we also advertised the study on websites of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community organizations.…”

Online dating applications and risk of youth victimization: A lifestyle exposure perspective

“…. These apps have become particularly popular among young adults (Sumter & Vandenbosch, 2019), but they are also used by adolescents (Castro & Barrada, 2020;Sánchez et al, 2015).…”