Is swiping right risky? Dating app use, sexual satisfaction, and risky sexual behavior among adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) are a prevalent public health concern among adolescents and young adults. Dating apps, which are relatively new technological means to meet sexual partners, are on the rise among this population. However, the scientific literature is mixed regarding the association between the use of dating apps and RSBs, with most studies focusing exclusively on condom use. The present study examined the associations between dating app use and a comprehensive range of RSBs, as well as the moderating role of sexual satisfaction. Self-report questionnaires assessing the level of activity on dating apps, sexual satisfaction, and RSBs were completed by 342 adolescents and young adults. The results revealed significant positive associations between dating app use and a variety of RSBs. Sexual satisfaction was a significant moderator of the link between dating app use and impulsive sexual behaviors. Specifically, dating app use was positively associated with impulsive sexual behaviors at both low and high levels of sexual satisfaction, but more strongly so at low levels of sexual satisfaction. The findings highlight the importance of examining a wide variety of RSBs beyond condom use and have meaningful implications for the prevention of RSBs among youth.

Lay summary

Dating app use was linked to higher levels of risky sexual behaviors, such as having multiple sexual partners. In addition, low sexual satisfaction played a role in amplifying the link between dating app use and impulsive sexual behaviors. These findings are relevant for the promotion of sexual health among youth.

Keywords:

• Sexual risk taking
• dating apps
• sexual satisfaction
• adolescents
• young adults
• sexual health

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) [under Grant number 435-2018-0348] and the Graduate Scholarship from the Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse.

Notes on contributors

Laurence Mignault

Laurence Mignault is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada. As part of her doctoral research, she is interested in adolescents and young adults’ sexual health, especially the contribution of dating app use to sexual risk taking.

Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel

Marie-Pier Vaillancourt-Morel is an Assistant Professor in psychology at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. Her research is mainly focused on the effects of childhood maltreatment and pornography use on couples’ sexuality.

Brenda Ramos

Brenda Ramos, B. Sc., is a doctoral student in the research and intervention clinical psychology program (Ph. D.) at Université de Montréal, Canada. Her main interests include intimate partner violence and the impact of childhood interpersonal trauma and personality on relationship functioning and sexuality among young adults.

Audrey Brassard

Audrey Brassard, Ph.D., is a full professor in the Department of Psychology at the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (QC), Canada. Her research and clinical interests include interpersonal relationships, romantic attachment, intimate partner violence, conflict, and sexuality.

Marie-Ève Daspe

Marie-Ève Daspe, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Université de Montréal, Canada. Her work focuses on the psychophysiological correlates of intimate partner violence. In addition, she studies the impacts of digital technologies on relationship functioning among adolescents and young adults.