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Profiling Dating Apps Users: Sociodemographic and Personality Characteristics

Author

Listed:
  • Ángel Castro

    (Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas. Universidad de Zaragoza. Calle Atarazanas, 4. 44003 Teruel, Spain)

  • Juan Ramón Barrada

    (Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas. Universidad de Zaragoza. Calle Atarazanas, 4. 44003 Teruel, Spain)

  • Pedro J. Ramos-Villagrasa

    (Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y del Trabajo. Universidad de Zaragoza. Calle Violante de Hungría, 23. 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Elena Fernández-del-Río

    (Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y del Trabajo. Universidad de Zaragoza. Calle Violante de Hungría, 23. 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

The development of new technologies, the expansion of the Internet, and the emergence of dating apps (e.g., Tinder, Grindr) in recent years have changed the way to meet and approach potential romantic and/or sexual partners. The recent phenomenon has led to some gaps in the literature on individual differences (sociodemographic variables and personality traits) between users (previous and current users) and non-users of dating apps. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between using dating apps, sociodemographics (gender, age, sexual orientation, and relationship status), and bright and dark personality traits. Participants were 1705 university students (70% women, 30% men), aged between 18 and 26 ( M = 20.60, SD = 2.09), who completed several online questionnaires. Through multinomial logistic regression analyses, it was found that men, older youth, and members of sexual minorities were more likely to be current and previous dating apps users. Being single and higher scores in open-mindedness were associated with higher probability to be current dating apps user. The dark personality showed no predictive ability. The discussion highlights the usefulness of knowing and considering the sociodemographic background and the characteristics of personality patterns in the design and implementation of preventive and promotion programs of healthy romantic and sexual relationships to improve people’s better health and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Ángel Castro & Juan Ramón Barrada & Pedro J. Ramos-Villagrasa & Elena Fernández-del-Río, 2020. "Profiling Dating Apps Users: Sociodemographic and Personality Characteristics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3653-:d:361733
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Elena Fernández del Río & Pedro J. Ramos-Villagrasa & Ángel Castro & Juan Ramón Barrada, 2019. "Sociosexuality and Bright and Dark Personality: The Prediction of Behavior, Attitude, and Desire to Engage in Casual Sex," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Friederike Barthels & Juan R Barrada & María Roncero, 2019. "Orthorexia nervosa and healthy orthorexia as new eating styles," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, July.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Xinyi Wang & Shiyi Zhang & Tao Xin, 2022. "Item Response Theory Analysis of the Dark Factor of Personality Scale for College Students in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Juan Ramón Barrada & Ángel Castro, 2020. "Tinder Users: Sociodemographic, Psychological, and Psychosexual Characteristics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Maycon Klerystton B. Tavares & Romulo L. P. de Melo & Bianca F. da Rocha & Débora J. Andrade & Danielle R. Evangelista & Márcia C. T. S. Peres & Leonardo R. Baldaçara & Thiago DeSouza-Vieira & Elisang, 2020. "Dating Applications, Sexual Behaviors, and Attitudes of College Students in Brazil’s Legal Amazon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-10, October.
    4. Ana Fonseca & Jorge Osma, 2021. "Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Mental Health Prevention and Treatment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-5, January.
    5. Angel Castro & José David Moreno & Berta Maté & Javier Ibáñez-Vidal & Juan Ramón Barrada, 2021. "Profiling Children Sexual Abuse in a Sample of University Students: A Study on Characteristic of Victims, Abusers, and Abuse Episodes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-9, April.
    6. Ahmed,Tanima & Lebbos,Toni Joe & Howell,Sean & Lamontagne,Erik & Wimpey,Joshua Seth, 2022. "Impacts of COVID-19 on the Income and Mental Well-Being of Cismen, Ciswomen, Transgender, andNon-Binary Individuals : Evidence from the 2020 COVID-19 Disparities Survey," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10184, The World Bank.
    7. Ángel Castro & Juan Ramón Barrada, 2020. "Dating Apps and Their Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Correlates: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-25, September.

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