The Association between Dating Apps and Alcohol Consumption in an Italian Sample of Active Users, Former Users, and Non-Users

Luca Flesia, Valentina Fietta, Carlo Foresta and Merylin Monaro
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Luca Flesia: Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
Valentina Fietta: Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Carlo Foresta: Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
Merylin Monaro: Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy

Social Sciences, 2021, vol. 10, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: To date, the relationship between alcohol use and dating app use has been investigated mostly in conjunction with sexual activities and in homosexual men. For this reason, the aim of this study was to explore the association between dating app use and alcohol consumption among the general population. A cross-sectional study was conducted including app users, non-users, and former users: 1278 respondents completed an online ad hoc questionnaire assessing dating app use, motivations for installing dating apps, alcohol use, and demographics. Multiple logistic regression analysis was run to investigate the association between dating app use, demographic features, and alcohol consumption. Whereas educational level, age, and gender significantly contributed to the regular consumption of alcohol, dating app use did not account for a significant amount of variance between regular and not regular drinkers. However, people who installed and used dating apps with the motivation of searching for sexual partners were more likely to be regular drinkers. Among the active users, heavy app users were less likely to drink regularly. The study indicates that underlying factors (sexual aspects, motives for using the apps) and the intensity of using the apps may mediate the relationship between dating app use and alcohol use.

Keywords: mobile dating apps; alcohol consumption; casual sex; motives; smartphone applications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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