It Is a Match!: Understanding the Perceived Effectiveness of Mobile Dating Applications for Forming Romantic Relationships

Abstract

Current research suggests that some emerging adults may not view mobile dating applications (MDAs) as helpful for forming relationships, rather seeing the applications as a means for sexual encounters or entertainment. The goal of this study is to examine young adults’ perceptions of the effectiveness of using MDAs for forming romantic relationships. Data come from a sample of college students (N = 165) and a community sample (N = 238) who completed an online survey regarding their experiences with MDAs, their motivations for using MDAs, and their perceptions of the effectiveness of MDAs in forming relationships. Participants were neutral regarding whether MDAs were useful in forming romantic relationships, although 41.1% of individuals who had ever used a MDA formed a serious romantic relationship with someone they met on a MDA. Time spent on MDAs was positively associated with participants’ perceived effectiveness of MDAs for forming relationships, but motivations for using MDAs did not predict participants’ perceptions of the effectiveness of MDAs for forming relationships, nor did MDA motivations moderate the association between MDA use and perceptions of MDA effectiveness for forming relationships. Although the motivations to use MDAs vary, time spent on MDAs is more strongly related to believing that MDAs are helpful for relationship formation. Suggestions for MDA use are discussed.