Social compensation or social enhancement? A path model connecting rejection sensitivity and loneliness for Chinese online dating applications users

IF 9 1区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, EXPERIMENTAL

Computers in Human Behavior Pub Date : 2023-09-04 DOI:10.1016/j.chb.2023.107929

Sihao Yang , Vincent Huang , Li Zhong , Xudong Liu , Ruci Zhong

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Rejection-sensitive people may find online dating an ideal way to explore romantic relationships because of its relatively low social cost and their high control of impression management. However, they may also experience negative events during online dating, such as cyberbullying, which may lead to self-blame and social concessions. This study investigates the compensating and enhancing effects of online dating on rejection-sensitive people. Findings from an online survey of 459 users of mainstream online dating applications in China reveal a positive relationship between rejection sensitivity and the use of online dating applications. The increased use of online dating applications is positively associated with cyberbullying victimization, further contributing to loneliness. These findings support both the social compensation and enhancement hypothesis in the context of online dating, especially for individuals with deficit social competence and psychological vulnerability. This study extends existing research by uncovering a paradoxical mechanism that explains how online dating affects vulnerable individuals' well-being. Online dating product design should consider protecting specific groups of users from being cyberbullied.

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社会补偿还是社会提升?中国在线约会应用用户拒绝敏感性与孤独感的路径模型

对拒绝敏感的人可能会发现网上约会是探索浪漫关系的理想方式，因为它的社会成本相对较低，而且他们对印象管理的控制能力很强。然而，他们在网上约会期间也可能经历负面事件，如网络欺凌，这可能导致自责和社会让步。本研究调查了网上约会对拒绝敏感人群的补偿和增强作用。一项针对459名中国主流在线交友应用用户的在线调查结果显示，拒绝敏感性与在线交友应用的使用之间存在正相关关系。在线约会应用程序的使用增加与网络欺凌的受害呈正相关，进一步加剧了孤独感。这些发现支持了网络约会背景下的社会补偿和增强假说，尤其是对于社交能力和心理脆弱性不足的人。这项研究扩展了现有的研究，揭示了一种矛盾的机制，解释了在线约会如何影响弱势群体的幸福感。在线约会产品的设计应该考虑保护特定的用户群体免受网络欺凌。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Computers in Human Behavior Multiple-

CiteScore

19.10

自引率

4.00%

发文量

381

审稿时长

40 days

期刊介绍： Computers in Human Behavior is a scholarly journal that explores the psychological aspects of computer use. It covers original theoretical works, research reports, literature reviews, and software and book reviews. The journal examines both the use of computers in psychology, psychiatry, and related fields, and the psychological impact of computer use on individuals, groups, and society. Articles discuss topics such as professional practice, training, research, human development, learning, cognition, personality, and social interactions. It focuses on human interactions with computers, considering the computer as a medium through which human behaviors are shaped and expressed. Professionals interested in the psychological aspects of computer use will find this journal valuable, even with limited knowledge of computers.