From traditional to online dating: its application on the couples therapy

Abstract

The study examined how participants transitioned from being in a traditional dating setting to an online dating setup when the pandemic struck. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed to explore and provide meaning to the experiences of eight Filipinos who used online dating through social media to pursue romantic relationships. The study highlighted that the participants experienced both happiness and connection, which led them to become better people because of the online relationship. The participants adapted themselves to the use of technology to express their interest, feelings, and care for the other person by exerting efforts to know the other person, spending quality time with each other, and making sure that communication is always there to make sure the other person will feel assured, cared for, and loved. They have overcome challenges, but there were issues concerning a lack of trust and poor-quality relationships like those of traditional daters in the pre-pandemic period, for which specific approaches to couples therapy have been recommended.