Motivations, dating app relationships, unintended consequences and change in sexual behaviour in dating app users at an Australian music festival

Shirali Garga,Sabrina W Pit,Ashneet Bhatia,Meryl T Thomas,Aidan Sullivan,Franklin John-Leader

doi:10.1186/s12954-021-00493-5

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the popularity of dating apps, there remain scarce data on the motivations, consequences and their influence on sexual behaviour change in the Australian population.ObjectiveTo explore motivations, dating app relationships, unintended consequences and change in sexual behaviour in dating app users at an Australian music festival.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was used. Festival patrons aged 18–30 at a major Australian music festival completed a paper-based survey. Logistic regression was used to identify which factors were associated with an increase in sexual partners since using dating apps.ResultsThe primary reasons for dating app use (N = 437) were boredom (59.7%), casual sex (45.1%) and casual dating (42.8%). A third of users used them at music festivals (33.8%, n = 432). A third of participants had used dating apps for more than 2 years (33.3%) and a third (33.0%) of users claimed to have changed their sexual behaviour after app use, including increased frequency of sexual activity (70.0%), number of sexual partners (57.1%) and sexual experimentation (42.1%). Dating app users tended not to discuss sexually transmitted infections (STI) status with a sexual partner regardless of whether they had met them on an app or not: 38.5% would ‘never’ and 36.9% would ‘sometimes’ have safe sex discussions with partners met via apps. Condoms were ‘always’ used for 36.9% of dating app users when meeting partners via dating apps, compared to 29.9% met by other means. 8.6% of dating app users reported having contracted STIs, and 2.8% had unwanted pregnancies with those met on dating apps. After adjusting for socio-demographics, those who had an STI after engaging in sexual activity with a person met via a dating app had 2.4 times the odds of reporting an increase in sexual partners, and those who had used a dating app for over 2 years had twice the odds of reporting an increase in sexual partners. When condom use was entered into the model, those that ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ used a condom with a new dating app partner were twice as likely to report an increase in sexual partners since using dating apps, compared to those who ‘always’ used a condom with a new dating app partner. Sexual orientation and STI discussions with a new sexual dating app partner were not associated with an increase in dating app partners.ConclusionDating app usage is common and users report increased sexual activity, sexual partners and experimentation. STI discussions with potential partners and condom use remained low regardless of how partners were met and despite an increase in sexual partners since using dating apps. Given the high-risk nature of individuals that utilise dating apps, safe sex discussion, including STIs, pregnancies and condom use should be promoted to improve sexual health outcomes.

Highlights

Despite the popularity of dating apps, there remain scarce data on the motivations, consequences and their influence on sexual behaviour change in the Australian population
Our study aims to add to the literature by providing objective findings on sexual partners met via dating apps, increase in sexual behaviour due to app use and factors associated with increased sexual activity since using apps
Boredom Casual sex Casual dating Self-confidence boost To find a long-term relationship To make friends Other Dating apps used (N = 444) Tinder Bumble Hinge Grindr Plenty of fish OkCupid Happn Coffee meets bagel Eharmony RSVP Zoosk Period of dating app usage (N = 438) Under 6 months 6–12 months 1–2 years More than 2 years Sexual partners met via dating app (N = 442) None Less than half More than half All People met face-to-face from dating app (N = 444) [Mean, Median (Min, Max)] Number of long-term relationships (N = 444) [Mean, Median (Min, Max)] Specified radius on dating apps (N = 444) [Mean, Median (Min, Max)]

Summary

Introduction

Despite the popularity of dating apps, there remain scarce data on the motivations, consequences and their influence on sexual behaviour change in the Australian population. Though not found to be a major motivator, Orosz et al [7], Sumter et al [8] and Ranzini and Lutz [9] included selfvalidation as a reason for dating app use in their studies. This may be linked to low self-esteem and is an important correlate that warrants further investigation in an Australian population especially in the context of a 2020 Australian study that showed dating app users report higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress [10]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion