The Association between Dating Apps and Alcohol Consumption in an Italian Sample of Active Users, Former Users, and Non-Users

Abstract

To date, the relationship between alcohol use and dating app use has been investigated mostly in conjunction with sexual activities and in homosexual men. For this reason, the aim of this study was to explore the association between dating app use and alcohol consumption among the general population. A cross-sectional study was conducted including app users, non-users, and former users: 1278 respondents completed an online ad hoc questionnaire assessing dating app use, motivations for installing dating apps, alcohol use, and demographics. Multiple logistic regression analysis was run to investigate the association between dating app use, demographic features, and alcohol consumption. Whereas educational level, age, and gender significantly contributed to the regular consumption of alcohol, dating app use did not account for a significant amount of variance between regular and not regular drinkers. However, people who installed and used dating apps with the motivation of searching for sexual partners were more likely to be regular drinkers. Among the active users, heavy app users were less likely to drink regularly. The study indicates that underlying factors (sexual aspects, motives for using the apps) and the intensity of using the apps may mediate the relationship between dating app use and alcohol use.

The Relationship between Drug Consumption and Dating App Use: Results from an Italian Survey

“…For instance, while investigating the association between dating app use and smoking, Flesia et al found that individuals using these apps with the primary aim of finding friends were less likely to smoke than other app users were (Flesia et al 2021a). Similar results are reported with regard to the association between dating app use and alcohol consumption (Flesia et al 2021b). Therefore, although substance use related to sexual intercourse is more readily linked to dating app use, a specific investigation into the association between dating app use and drug consumption, even outside of sexual activity, might provide useful information for implementing targeted prevention interventions, as well as pave the way for new lines of research.…”