Attached to dating apps: Attachment orientations and preferences for dating apps

Abstract

Our study examines attachment-related differences in the use of dating applications (dating apps). We collected online survey data regarding people’s attachment orientation and dating app preferences. People with a more anxious attachment orientation were more likely to report using dating apps than people lower in anxious attachment; people with a more avoidant attachment orientation were less likely to report using dating apps than people lower in avoidant attachment. Participants who used dating apps cited Tinder, OkCupid, and Plenty of Fish as those most commonly used. The most common reason people reported for using apps was to meet others, and the most common reason people reported for not using apps was difficulty trusting people online. Our findings suggest that individual differences in attachment may be relevant for understanding online behavior, and that dating apps might be a fruitful avenue for future research on attachment-related differences.

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

“…The relationship between dating app use and attachment has also been studied. Chin et al [ 29 ] concluded that people with a more anxious attachment orientation and those with a less avoidant orientation were more likely to use these apps.…”

“…on how applications are used. As for the frequency of use and the connection time, Chin et al [ 29 ] found that Tinder users opened the app up to 11 times a day, investing up to 90 minutes per day. Strubel and Petrie [ 67 ] found that 23% of Tinder users opened the app two to three times a day, and 14% did so once a day.…”

Online Dating and Problematic Use: A Systematic Review

“…Also, there appears to be an association between neuroticism and higher online dating use. However, only two studies have reported a clear positive correlation (Chin et al 2019;Hance et al 2018). Regarding the limitations of the studies, all of them were cross-sectional; therefore, no causality or directionality of the findings can be inferred.…”

“…Considering the association that exists between specific personality correlates and patterns of use, a total of seven studies (Blackhart et al 2014;Chan 2017;Chin et al 2019;Clemens et al 2015;Hall et al 2010;Peter and Valkenburg 2007;Sumter and Vandenbosch 2019) were found and reviewed focusing on the association of personality traits and use of online dating services. All the studies assessed used quantitative and cross-sectional methods.…”

“…Regarding attachment styles, Chin et al (2019) surveyed 183 single American participants, and 60% of those were male (mean age = 29.97 years). A multivariate regression analysis was performed utilising data from the Attachment Style Questionnaire (Simpson et al 1992), together with some items covering the use of dating apps.…”