The Dating Application Cycle: Heterosexual Emerging Adult Women’s Experiences Using Dating Applications
Abstract
The goals of the study were to explore how women navigate their self-understanding and their identity in the context of using dating applications, as well as to investigate how dating application use may affect emerging adult women’s psychological well-being. A qualitative approach, drawing from transcendental phenomenological and constructivist ideologies was used to further investigate the lived experiences of 12 women. The results of the coding process produced seven primary themes: (a) the dating app cycle, (b) dating apps as a means to an end, (c) challenges of connecting through dating apps (d) behavioral reactions to the dating app cycle, (e) emotional reactions to the dating app cycle, (f) positive and negative psychological experiences of dating apps, and (g) using dating apps in the context of COVID-19. Limitations and future directions were discussed including the need to study the experiences of women of color, non-college educated women, and women who live in less urban environments. Finally, implications for general research and practice related to the intersection of women’s mental and relational health were explored.
Subject Area
Counseling Psychology|Developmental psychology|Social psychology
Recommended Citation
Litsey, Cambria Lauren, "The Dating Application Cycle: Heterosexual Emerging Adult Women’s Experiences Using Dating Applications" (2021). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI28496498.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI28496498
