Use Of Grindr Research Articles

A Cross-Sectional Study of Spanish Grindr Users: Sociodemographic Characteristics, Sexual Health Trends, and Attitudes toward HIV Testing.

Men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, and although behavioral and contextual interventions have improved, infections continue to spread. Therefore, a new focus on recent trends in sexual health in this population is needed. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics according to Grindr usage patterns, the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and attitudes toward HIV testing. In January 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 881 men who have sex with men (MSM) who completed an online questionnaire. We evaluated their Grindr use patterns (moderate or intensive) and explored the associations of these with sociodemographic behavioral characteristics, STIs, and attitudes toward HIV testing. Of 881 participants in total, 587 (66.6%) were intensive Grindr users. Compared to moderate users, these participants reported significantly higher numbers of casual sexual partners (76.2% vs. 23.8%; p < 0.001), were more likely to participate in Chemsex (77.3% vs. 22.7%: p = 0.031), and had a higher self-reported number of STIs (69.9% vs. 30.1; p = 0.046). They also demonstrated better attitudes toward HIV testing (69.7% vs. 30.3%; p = 0.045) and perceived themselves to be at moderate risk of HIV (71.2% vs. 28.8%: p = 0.048). Moreover, intensive Grindr users were 1.36 times more likely than moderate users to test positive for STIs (95%CI = 1.15-1.91; p = 0.048). With some limitations, age, sexual partners, intensive Grindr users, and PrEP uses were associated with the risk of STIs in the sample of Spanish Grindr users studied. As Grindr users are vulnerable to sociodemographic and behavioral factors that determine STIs and HIV infection, mainly among intensive users, it is necessary to highlight the importance of new trends such as online dating apps, PrEP use, substance use in sex, and Chemsex, and these need to be incorporated into online public health strategies.

Obesity and sexual health trends among a large, national sample of men who have sex with men on Grindr in the USA.

Background A growing number of men who have sex with men (MSM) utilise Grindr for seeking relationships and immediate/casual sexual encounters. Grindr and other mobile applications can be a valuable source of information on sociological predictors of health. One topic that is under reported is the use of Grindr by MSM with obesity. We described differences in Grindr use between MSM with and without obesity, and to use Grindr information to reveal trends which may serve as potential predictors of health. Methods Data was collected from 3744 Grindr users (mean age [s.d.], 32.3 years [9.1]) from the largest 50 metropolitan centres in the USA between February and May 2018. Users were divided into two cohorts based on BMI: (1) MSM with obesity (BMI>30), n =253; and (2) MSM without obesity, n =3491. Profile characteristics were compared. Results When evaluating potential predictors for obesity, we found that black/African-American and older MSM were significantly more likely to have obesity. Further, we found that obesity among MSM was significantly inversely associated with the population percent lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) within a city. Additionally, we found that MSM with obesity were significantly more likely to indicate interest in immediate sexual encounters. Conclusions These results highlight important trends that may serve as predictors of health in urban settings. Furthermore, our results suggest that MSM with obesity may be more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviours. These findings may be useful in informing providers and healthcare officials on when and how to provide outreach to this unique population.

Uses and Grindifications: Examining the Motivators and Antecedents of Grindr Usage Among GBMSM

ABSTRACT Grindr is a popular geospatial networking application (GSNA) among gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM); it can be used for variety of goals (e.g. finding dates, making friends, or coordinating a hookup) depending on the user’s wants. These needs and wants, however, do not arise in a vacuum. Informed by uses and gratification (U&G) theory, this paper examined individual factors such as race, body image and depression as drivers of the motivations behind Grindr usage In an online cross-sectional survey (N = 102), we explored the antecedents of six different motivations (i.e. friendship, sex, entertainment, romantic partnership, social inclusion, and location-based community) for Grindr use among GBMSM. The results revealed that romance and friendship motives increased Grindr usage compared to the other four motivation categories. Across motivation categories, habitual Grindr usage was a significant driver of continued Grindr use. Individual factors such as race, sociosexuality and self-disclosure also influenced users’ motivations to use Grindr. Overall, the results point to individual factors eliciting differing motivations for Grindr use, resulting in either outcome-based or passive usage of the application.

Orthorexia nervosa in gay men—the result of a spanish-polish eating disorders study

BackgroundThe purpose of this exploratory study was to identifying demographic factors and unique predictors of ON e.g., the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the use of social media and the Grindr ® dating application among a sample group of Spanish and Polish identifying gay men.MethodsThe study was conducted in Poland and Spain between March and June 2021 using questionary: ORTO-15. Data was collected using a three-section self-administered questionnaire. The first section contained demographic data, the second part was the Polish and Spanish version of the Orto-15, and the third part was the Polish and Spanish version of the EAT-26.ResultsTotal enrollment was 394 gay men. In regression proportional hazards single model, significant predictors of ON were: age (OR = 0.964, 95% CI, 0.944–0.984), BMI (OR = 0.895, 95% CI, 0.848–0.944), staying in an informal relationship compared to being single (OR = 2.138, 95%CI, 1.225–3.732), occasional use of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (OR = 4.667, 95%CI, 1.186–18.362) and use of the Grindr application (OR = 5.312, 95%CI, 3.373–8.365). Instagram users had lower risk of ON (OR = 0.479, 95%CI, 0.279–0.822). The multivariate analysis showed that Grindr usages (OR = 4.72; 95%CI, 2.89–7.72) correlated with higher risk of ON. Higher BMI (OR = 0.913, 95%CI, 0.861–0.98) and daily use of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (OR = 0.142, 95%CI, 0.03–0.674) is associated with lower risk of ON.ConclusionsThe most important predictors of orthorexia nervosa in gay men are: low BMI and the use of Grindr. The effect of daily usage of PrEP is associated with lower risk, and occasional use is associated with increased risk, of orthorexia nervosa.

Geosocial Networking Application Use in Men Who Have Sex with Men: The Role of Adult Attachment

Individual differences in attachment differentially predict dating motivations and behaviors among heterosexual individuals. Remarkably, little research has examined such topics in men who have sex with men (MSM). In a sample of 118 MSM, we examined whether individual differences in attachment were differentially associated with motivations for using Grindr, a widely used geosocial networking application (GSNA) among MSM, and whether these motivations, in turn, predicted problematic Grindr use and depression. Data were collected in 2019. Attachment anxiety was associated with use of Grindr for self-esteem enhancement; this motivation, in turn, predicted more problematic Grindr use and higher depression. Attachment anxiety was also associated with problematic Grindr use via use of Grindr for companionship purposes. Those higher in attachment avoidance reported using Grindr for escapism and due to the ease of communication it affords; these motivations, in turn, were associated with greater problematic Grindr use. There were also indirect effects of attachment avoidance on symptoms of depression via escapism. Results suggest that attachment insecurity is associated with maladaptive motivations for GSNA use, and these motivations may place MSM at greater risk for depression and problematic GSNA use. Implications for social policy and professional practice are discussed, including the importance of clinicians assessing for problematic patterns of GSNA use and the need for practitioner training to include a focus on the unique predictors of mental health and well-being among gender and sexual minorities.

Is Tinder-Grindr Use Risky? Distinguishing Venue from Individuals' Behavior as Unique Predictors of Sexual Risk.

Geosocial networking apps (GSN; e.g., Tinder, Grindr) have rapidly increased in popularity, showing associations with greater sexual risk-taking. This study sought to distinguish between risks associated with intensive partner-seeking (i.e., individuals seeking out casual sex frequently across many venues) and risks associated with specific venues (e.g., GSNs, dating websites, offline activities). Expanding upon a literature predominantly focused on the population of men who have sex with men (MSM), we recruited a broader range of sexual identities. A convenience sample of 3180 participants from the U.S. (18-75years old, 69% female, 75% Caucasian, 68% heterosexual) completed an anonymous, cross-sectional online survey. Logistic regressions yielded adjusted odds ratios highlighting the unique links between each predictor and sexual risk-taking. MSM/WSW indicators, quantity of partner-seeking and specific venues-particularly GSN use-emerged as robust predictors of sexual risk, increasing the odds of reporting all six outcomes examined: (1) having three or more sex partners in the last year, (2) having hookups in the last 2months, (3) having hookups involving alcohol or (4) drug use, (5) condomless sexual activity with new partners in the last 2months, and (6) ever having had a sexually transmitted infection. Although a large portion of risk originated from the proclivities of the individuals seeking casual sex, both online and offline methods of partner-seeking also contributed significant risk, suggesting that specific venues like GSN apps could be used as methods of targeting higher-risk behaviors. The results also highlight the importance of moving beyond MSM when addressing sexual risk.

IObjectify: Self‐ and other‐objectification on Grindr, a geosocial networking application designed for men who have sex with men

AbstractGrindr is a smartphone application for men who have sex with men (MSM). Despite its reputation as a ‘hook‐up app’, little is known about its users' self‐presentation strategies and how this relates to objectification. This article explores objectification on Grindr. The results of Study 1 showed that Grindr users objectified other men more than non‐Grindr users. A content analysis of 1400 Grindr profiles in Study 2 showed that profile pictures with objectifying content were related to searching for sexual encounters. Finally, a survey of Grindr users in Study 3 revealed that objectification processes and sexualized profile pictures were related to some objectification‐relevant online behaviors (e.g., increased use of Grindr, discussion of HIV status). Interestingly, the presence of body focused profile content was more related to sexual orientation disclosure (not being ‘out’) than to objectification. This article presents evidence that Grindr usage and online presentation are related to objectification processes.

Authenticity, validation and sexualisation on Grindr: an analysis of trans women’s accounts

ABSTRACTThe socio-historic sexualisation of transgender identities is reported to have disaffirming consequences for the broad trans community, and for trans women in particular. Given trans people’s increasing use of socio-sexual ‘hook-up’ apps, this paper looks at trans women’s talk of self/other identifications in relation to their regular use of Grindr. Eight semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with London-based women who identified as trans* in some way. A Foucauldian-informed discourse analysis highlights intersecting frames of trans authenticity, validation and sexualisation. Within these frames, trans women can be variously positioned in gendered and sexualised ways. Specifically, a discourse of trans authenticity is seen to involve the marking out of an identificatory truth that is situated in culturally acceptable and hence de-sexualised womanhood, while a competing discourse of trans validation involves an ambiguity and eroticism that can serve to reimagine this truth. Trans subjectivities can thus consist of a desire for authentic (gendered and non-sexualised) selfhood, on the one hand, and self-affirming ambiguity and sexualisation on the other. That trans women can construct ambivalent relationships with trans-sexualisation discourse highlights the limitation of anti-sexualisation advocacy and implications for supporting trans sexualities are considered.

Cruising for cash: Prostitution on Grindr

This article employs textual analysis in the cultural studies tradition to analyse Reddit discussion forums dedicated to the use of Grindr to solicit sex in exchange for cash, which is in violation of Grindr’s terms of service. Of particular interest is a canvasing of the motivations behind amateur use of the app for paid sexual encounters. More than six hundred comments from twenty-two relevant threads are selected for analysis, drawn from the popular ‘Gaybros’ subreddit forum. I nominate three key ‘scripts’ from the discourse. Namely, from the perspective of the individual seeking payment: ‘cash strapped student’ and ‘alternative to porn’; and ‘naïve millennials’ from a community responder perspective. These scripts offer insight into the profit-seeking motivations behind exploiting a popular sex-seeking tool, in particular by participants who would not otherwise engage in ‘cruising for cash’. The discourse supports my view that the young men seeking payment conceive of themselves as mobile pornographers, a concept that embodies their willingness to exploit the affordances of mobile technology and the profits to be gained from youth and sex, without the digital traces of more traditional pornographic forms.

UG2 Grindr© use by men who have sex with men (MSM) is associated with high rates of bacterial sexually transmitted infections

Background/introduction Mobile Phone ‘apps’ such as grindr© are becoming a more frequent and convenient way to meet sexual partners and may be a reason why sexually transmitted infections(STI) are increasing in MSM. Methods From November 2015 to February 2016, a paper survey was distributed to MSM attending local sexual health services on acceptability of local service, including use of mobile phone applications to meet sexual partners. National Student Pride also used an online version of the survey. Results 1186 MSM were included in the analysis of this survey. The median age was 26.8 years (18–89). 1026/1186 (86.5%) self-identified as gay, 108/1186 (9.1%) bisexual and 34/1186 (2.9%) straight. 918/1186 (77.4%) were HIV-negative, 42/1186 (3.5%) HIV-positive, 188/1186 (15.9%) never tested, and 38/1186 (3.2%) unknown status. 200/1186 (16.9%) of respondents reported a bacterial STI within the past 12 months: 116/1186 (9.8%) had gonorrhoea, 96/1186 (8.1%) chlamydia and 26/1186 (2.2%) syphilis. Reported use of grindr© was: 372/1186 (31.4%) more than once/day, 168/1186 (14.2%) more than once/week 124/1186 (10.5%) more than once/month. Those who used grindr© more than once per day reported having had gonorrhoea (62/372:16.7%), chlamydia (50/372:13.4%) and syphilis (16/372:4.3%) in the past 12 months. 80/116 (70.0%), 64/96 (67%) and 16/26 (62%) MSM who reported having gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis in the past 12 months reported using grindr© at least once a month. MSM were significantly more likely to report having gonorrhoea and chlamydia (but not syphilis) in the past 12 months using grindr© at least once per month compared to never using grindr(t-test = 2.79; p = 0.003), (t-test = 2.20; p = 0.028), (t-tst = 0.58; p = 0.565). Discussion/conclusion Use of the mobile phone application grindr© is associated with acquisition of bacterial STIs. Public health interventions to reduce STI rates in MSM should include using appropriate social media.

Reaching Suburban Men Who Have Sex With Men for STD and HIV Services Through Online Social Networking Outreach: A Public Health Approach.

Technology-enabled approaches may reach suburban and rural men who have sex with men (MSM) who lack physical venues, where they live for sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV prevention efforts. We evaluated using Grindr, an all-male social networking platform, for STD/HIV prevention services to MSM by a suburban Public Health department. Phase 1 (October 2012-March 2013) focused on acceptability of prevention messages by MSM on Grindr and phase 2 (October 2013-March 2014) Grindr use for implementing testing and linkage-to-care. We compared the number of Public Health encounters with MSM before and after initiation of Grindr use and the proportion of users who remained engaged with Public Health staff after being told they were interacting with a health educator. For a 6-month period before Grindr outreach, Public Health had 60 contacts with MSM. Contacts increased to 305 MSM in phase 1, of which 168/213 (79%) remained engaged. In phase 2, among 903 MSM contacts, 69% remained engaged. Asian and Hispanic MSM were more likely to remain engaged with outreach staff; white men were more likely to be not engaged. No significant difference in age between engaged and nonengaged MSM was seen. Grindr outreach by Public Health in a suburban county seems acceptable to MSM and leads to a 14-fold increase in MSM reached for counseling and education compared with a traditional outreach period. Further evaluation of technology-enabled approaches for STD/HIV prevention in suburban and rural MSM is warranted.

Managing uncertainty in mobile dating applications: Goals, concerns of use, and information seeking in Grindr

The current research used uncertainty management theory (UMT) as a framework to examine individuals’ experience of uncertainty within the context of Grindr, an all-male, location-based mobile dating application. In two studies, we first investigated the particular concerns associated with Grindr use. Results indicated that the unique affordances of Grindr generated six categories of user concerns associated with use of the mobile application. The second study confirmed that a specific set of user goals and concerns predicted daters’ desire for uncertainty, which in turn predicted information-seeking behavior. Findings clearly indicate that Grindr users’ responses to uncertainty were not limited to simple reduction strategies, but were dependent upon their desire for and tolerance of uncertainty in relation to their goals and concerns of application use. The current results also help to establish UMT’s predictive power and explanatory utility within the realm of interpersonal communication.

Associations of unprotected anal intercourse with Grindr-met partners among Grindr-using young men who have sex with men in Los Angeles

Grindr, a geosocial smartphone application, is a networking medium for men who have sex with men. Although three quarters of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) Grindr users report having sex with a Grindr-met partner, the correlates of risky sexual behavior with Grindr-met partners are unknown. A randomly selected sample of 18- to 24-year-old, Grindr-using YMSM completed an anonymous online questionnaire assessing patterns of Grindr use and sexual behavior with their last Grindr-met partners. Of the 146 YMSM who reported having sex with Grindr-met partners, 20% had unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) at last sex with their Grindr-met partner. In the multivariable model, YMSM who used Grindr for at least one year showed naked chest/abs in their profile photo, and reported more past month Grindr-met partners were more likely to report UAI. These findings suggest that familiarity with the app was associated with YMSM's UAI with Grindr-met partners. Moreover, sexualized profile photos (i.e., naked chest/abs) may be associated with sexual risk-taking behaviors. HIV prevention interventions delivered or linked through such apps should target individuals who are longer/frequent users and who present sexualized profiles.

Acceptability of Smartphone Application-Based HIV Prevention Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are increasingly using mobile smartphone applications ("apps"), such as Grindr, to meet sex partners. A probability sample of 195 Grindr-using YMSM in Southern California were administered an anonymous online survey to assess patterns of and motivations for Grindr use in order to inform development and tailoring of smartphone-based HIV prevention for YMSM. The number one reason for using Grindr (29%) was to meet "hook ups." Among those participants who used both Grindr and online dating sites, a statistically significantly greater percentage used online dating sites for "hook ups" (42%) compared to Grindr (30%). Seventy percent of YMSM expressed a willingness to participate in a smartphone app-based HIV prevention program. Development and testing of smartphone apps for HIV prevention delivery has the potential to engage YMSM in HIV prevention programming, which can be tailored based on use patterns and motivations for use.

Epidemiology, Sexual Risk Behavior, and HIV Prevention Practices of Men who Have Sex with Men Using GRINDR in Los Angeles, California

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are at alarming risk for HIV acquisition, demonstrating the highest rates of incident infection of any age-risk group. GRINDR is a global positioning service-based social networking application popular with YMSM for sexual partnering. To assess the characteristics of YMSM who use GRINDR, we conducted a computer-assisted self-interview-based survey of 375 YMSM using GRINDR in metropolitan Los Angeles, recruited using the GRINDR platform. The median age was 25 (interquartile range, 22-27) years old, 42.4% caucasian, 6.4% African American, 33.6% Latino, and 14.1% Asian/Pacific Islander. Participants reported high rates of sexual partnering and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). The majority (70%) of those reporting unprotected anal intercourse reported low perception of HIV-acquisition risk. Of the participants, 83.1% reported HIV testing within the past 12months; 4.3% had never been HIV tested. Of the participants, 4.5% reported HIV-positive serostatus; 51.7% indicated that they would be interested in participating in a future HIV prevention trial. Latinos were more likely than either caucasians or African Americans to endorse trial participation interest (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval [1.1-3.3]). HIV-positive test results were associated with increased number of anal sex partners in the past 3months (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 1.53 [0.97-2.40]), inconsistent inquiry about partners' serostatus (AOR, 3.63 [1.37-9.64]), reporting the purpose for GRINDR use including "friendship" (AOR, 0.17 [0.03-1.06), and meeting a sexual partner in a bookstore in the past 3months (AOR, 33.84 [0.99-1152]). Men recruited via GRINDR were high risk for HIV acquisition or transmission and interested in clinical trial participation, suggesting potential for this method to be used for recruitment of YMSM to HIV prevention trials.