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Mobile Dating Applications and the Sexual Self: A Cluster Analysis of Users’ Characteristics

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  • Alexandru Mateizer

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Eugen Avram

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

The online environment has had a profound sociocultural impact, and its implications pose new challenges to modern-day societies. The digital sexual and dating domains have dramatically affected sexual and romantic behavior and norms, and yet, no empirical studies have addressed the role of the sexual self-concept in driving sexual and romantic online behavior. The aim of this study is to identify reliable sexual self-configurations through a cluster analysis approach and determine whether these profiles are informative in relation to app use motives and sexual outcomes. For this purpose, a total of 244 subjects were recruited. Survey questions measured a set of demographic parameters, motives for app use, online sexual activities, attachment orientations, the sexual self-concept and sexual satisfaction. Five clusters were identified, including two with high levels of sexual drive (“Driven” and “Adventurous”), two with low levels of sexual drive (“Unassured” and “Naïve”) and one with an intermediate level of sexual drive (“Competent”). The clusters differed on gender, attachment styles, app use patterns and sexual characteristics. These findings provide insight into how the sexual self-concept relates to the interaction between individuals and the online sexual and dating scenes.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandru Mateizer & Eugen Avram, 2022. "Mobile Dating Applications and the Sexual Self: A Cluster Analysis of Users’ Characteristics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1535-:d:737836
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andra Cătălina Roșca & Vlad Burtăverde & Cristina-Ioana Dan & Alexandru Mateizer & Carol Robert Petrancu & Adrian Ionuț Iriza & Cristina Adina Ene, 2021. "The Dark Triad Traits of Firefighters and Risk-Taking at Work. The Mediating Role of Altruism, Honesty, and Courage," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-12, June.
    2. Juan Ramón Barrada & Ángel Castro, 2020. "Tinder Users: Sociodemographic, Psychological, and Psychosexual Characteristics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Andra Cătălina Roșca & Alexandru Mateizer & Cristina-Ioana Dan & Evangelia Demerouti, 2021. "Job Demands and Exhaustion in Firefighters: The Moderating Role of Work Meaning. A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-13, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexandru Mateizer & Andra Cătălina Roșca & Eugen Avram, 2022. "Sexual Self-Concept Differentiation: An Exploratory Analysis of Online and Offline Self-Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-14, June.

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