Abstract
To date, the literature regarding the relationship between drug consumption and dating app use is still very scant and inconclusive. The present study was thus aimed at investigating the association between drug consumption and dating app use in the general population. A total of 1278 Italian respondents completed an online ad hoc questionnaire assessing drug consumption (cannabis versus other illicit drugs), dating app use, the primary motive for installing dating apps, and demographics. Multiple logistic regression analyses were run to investigate the role of demographics and dating app use on drug consumption. Being single predicted cannabis use. Using dating apps accounted for higher odds of cannabis use; however, people who intensely used the apps were less likely to consume marijuana. Conversely, dating app use was not associated with the consumption of other drugs. This study suggests the presence of common underlying factors between dating app use and cannabis use, and it highlights the mediating role of the intensity of app use. Conversely, the study suggests that dating app use and the use of other drugs are quite independent behaviors.
Highlights
During the past decade, the rise of mobile dating apps has revolutionized the way in which people construct social relations and find romantic and sexual partners
The current study explored, for the first time, the association between the use of mobile dating apps and drug consumption, not in conjunction with sexual activities, in the general population
With regard to cannabis use, the results from the present study indicated an association between dating app use and cannabis consumption
Summary
The rise of mobile dating apps has revolutionized the way in which people construct social relations and find romantic and sexual partners. Some studies investigated the association between dating app use and substance-related behaviors in conjunction with sexual experiences. None of the studies on this topic considered the association between drug consumption and dating app use in the general population. Rather, they investigated the role of demographic variables, such as sexual orientation, age, and relational status, in influencing this association. 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. Considering the significant impact of substance use on global health in terms of the burden of disease and mortality (Peacock et al 2018; Lim et al 2012; Degenhardt et al.2014), economic burden (Degenhardt et al 2013, 2018; Gowing et al 2015; Degenhardt et al.2014), and the significant spread of dating apps (Pew Research Center 2016; Clement 2020; Statista 2020), an estimate of the possible interplay between dating app use and drug use might be very significant for programming targeted and effective drug prevention policies
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