Unmatching Dating Apps

Motives for Disconnection

Bibliographic Data

ID21437202
AuthorsRita Sepúlveda (0000-0003-4348-5637, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume27
Issue1
Pages1-23
Publication date2024-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePalabra Clave (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0122-8285 • E-ISSN: 2027-534X
PublisherUniversidad de la Sabana (PUBLISHER • CO)
DOI10.5294/pacla.2024.27.1.3
OpenAlexW4393371015
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited23

This work explores the motives for online daters to disconnect from dating apps. It draws on two studies: Study 1, an online survey (n = 349) aimed at (past) online dating users (44.7 % female, 91 % heterosexuals), and Study 2, a qualitative one based on semi-structured interviews (n = 20) with (past) online dating users aged 21–45. Quantitative analysis was carried out on survey results to obtain frequencies, and a thematic analysis was applied to explore the survey’s open-ended questions and interviews. As both our quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal, individuals disconnect from dating apps due to five main reasons: users’ experiences, app features, users’ well-being, privacy concerns, and life transitions. Motives for disconnection can be cumulative and can change over time. The motives also reflect the meaning of dating apps through how they are appropriated and incorporated into everyday activities. Although disconnection reflects the ambivalent relationship of users with dating apps, they are aware of the possibility of reconnecting whenever they want or need to

Business · Disconnection · Internet privacy · Political science · Computer Science · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Law · Psychology · Social Media and Politics

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