Validation of the Polish Problematic Tinder Use Scale and Its Relationship with Safe Sex Behaviors

Magdalena Liberacka-Dwojak (), Yasser Khazaal, Monika Wiłkość-Dębczyńska, Daria Kukuła, Anna Chechłowska, Aleksandra Kozłowska, Nikola Przywitowska and Emilien Jeannot
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Magdalena Liberacka-Dwojak: Department of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Yasser Khazaal: Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
Monika Wiłkość-Dębczyńska: Department of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Daria Kukuła: Department of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Anna Chechłowska: Department of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Aleksandra Kozłowska: Department of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Nikola Przywitowska: Department of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Emilien Jeannot: Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: Introduction: Online dating is a common phenomenon. The manageability and access of the application allows people to quickly reach many potential partners, which can increase risky sexual behaviors. The Problematic Tinder Use Scale (PTUS) was developed and validated in a Polish population by analyzing the reliability, validity, and factor structure of the responses given by Polish-speaking participants. Methods: Two samples of adult Tinder users were recruited online. The first study aimed to perform the reliability coefficient Cronbach’s, interrater analysis, exploratory, and confirmatory factor analysis. The second sample was recruited to investigate the factor structure by combining it with the Safe Sex Behavior Questionnaire (SSBQ). The sociodemographic data, such as hours of use and number of dates, were also investigated. Results: The Polish participants’ responses to the PTUS (sample 1: N = 271, sample 2: N = 162) revealed the one-factor structure of the tool. The reliability of the measurement was ? = 0.80. The construct validity was confirmed. The results showed a significant, negative, and weak correlation between the PTUS and SSBQ scores and their subscales: risky sexual behaviors (r = ?0.18), condom use (r = ?0.22), and avoidance of body fluids (r = ?0.17). Moreover, the number of partners met in the real world had a statistically significant, moderate relationship with the PTUS scores. Conclusions: The PTUS measurement is valid and reliable for the Polish population. The findings highlight the need for harm prevention strategies related to potentially addictive Tinder use, as well as the possible risky sexual behaviors associated with dating app use.

Keywords: Tinder; validation scale; sex behaviors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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