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College Students' Motives for In-Person Meetings with Dating Application Matches
Meredith G Harrison1, Richard D McAnulty1, Amy Canevello1
1Department of Psychological Science, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
|November 17, 2021
Summary
Emerging adults primarily seek love, not casual sex, when meeting dating app matches in person. Mobile dating apps facilitate genuine connections beyond hookups.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Human Sexuality
Background:
- Limited research exists on motivations for offline meetings arranged via mobile dating applications.
- Previous studies focused on general usage motives, not in-person interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the primary motivations behind emerging adults' in-person meetings with dating app matches.
- To explore whether dating apps are predominantly used for casual sex or broader relationship goals.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was administered to 267 U.S. college students.
- Data collection focused on dating app usage and in-person meeting experiences.
- 138 participants reported using dating apps, with 80 having met at least one match offline.
Main Results:
- Love emerged as the leading motive for in-person meetings with dating app matches.
- Findings challenge the prevalent notion that dating apps primarily facilitate casual sexual encounters.
- The study supports the view that dating apps serve as a platform for forming connections.
Conclusions:
- Mobile dating applications are utilized for seeking romantic relationships and connections.
- Motivations for offline meetings extend beyond casual sex, encompassing desires for love and companionship.
- Dating apps play a role in relationship initiation beyond casual hookups.
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