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Nagata JM, Balasubramanian P, Shim JE, Talebloo J, Yen F, Al-Shoaibi AAA, Shao IY, Ganson KT, Testa A, Kiss O, Baker FC. Social epidemiology of online dating in U.S. early adolescents. BMC Res Notes 2024; 17:145. [PMID: 38778392 PMCID: PMC11110432 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-024-06777-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic associations of online dating in a demographically diverse U.S. national cohort of early adolescents. METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (Year 2, 2018-2020, ages 11-12; N = 10,157). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate associations between sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, household income, parental education) and early adolescent-reported online dating behaviors. RESULTS Overall, 0.4% (n = 38) of participants reported ever using a dating app. Males (AOR 2.72, 95% CI 1.11-6.78) had higher odds of online dating compared to females, and sexual minority identification (e.g., lesbian, gay, or bisexual; AOR 12.97, 95% CI 4.32-38.96) was associated with greater odds of online dating compared to heterosexual identification. CONCLUSION Given the occurrence of online dating among early adolescents despite age restrictions, interventions might address age misrepresentation. Adolescent sexual health education may consider incorporating anticipatory guidance on online dating, especially for males and sexual minorities. Future research could further investigate online dating patterns from early to late adolescence and associated health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Nagata
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 4th Floor, 94143, San Francisco, CA, Box 0503, USA.
| | - Priyadharshini Balasubramanian
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 4th Floor, 94143, San Francisco, CA, Box 0503, USA
| | - Joan E Shim
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 4th Floor, 94143, San Francisco, CA, Box 0503, USA
| | - Jonanne Talebloo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 4th Floor, 94143, San Francisco, CA, Box 0503, USA
| | - Felicia Yen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 4th Floor, 94143, San Francisco, CA, Box 0503, USA
| | - Abubakr A A Al-Shoaibi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 4th Floor, 94143, San Francisco, CA, Box 0503, USA
| | - Iris Yuefan Shao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 4th Floor, 94143, San Francisco, CA, Box 0503, USA
| | - Kyle T Ganson
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, M5S 1V4, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander Testa
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin Street, 77030, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Orsolya Kiss
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Ave, 94025, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Fiona C Baker
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Ave, 94025, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein, 2000, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Pereira H, Silva P, Torre RD, dos Santos MR, Moutinho A, Solinho S, Proença C, Cabral J, Santos AJ. Men's Social Connectedness in Later Life: A Qualitative Study with Older Men. Geriatrics (Basel) 2024; 9:53. [PMID: 38667520 PMCID: PMC11050630 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics9020053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This qualitative study aimed to understand men's social connectedness in later life in Portugal focusing on their perceptions, obstacles, strategies, and impact on well-being. The sample included 104 older Portuguese men over 65 years of age (Mage = 70.76 years). The qualitative data were the direct transcriptions of the answers given by participants to the electronic interview using thematic analysis. Findings revealed six overarching themes encompassing 18 subcategories: definitions of social connectedness (social support, community identity, mental health promotion, use of community structures), difficulties/obstacles in maintaining social connectedness (ageism, lack of initiative, physical limitations, psychological traits, resources), strategies/actions or resources to establish social connections (use of technology, use of community groups, leisure and sport activities, church/religion), negative impact of difficulties in establishing relevant social connections (mental health, physical health, relationships), positive actions from being socially connected (positive prescriptions to promote social connectedness), and concerns from being socially disconnected (health risks). These findings indicate that the lack of social connectedness creates social vulnerability in later life, and social support is needed to ensure safer aging among older men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Pereira
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.S.); (R.D.T.); (M.R.d.S.); (A.M.); (S.S.); (C.P.); (A.J.S.)
- Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Patricia Silva
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.S.); (R.D.T.); (M.R.d.S.); (A.M.); (S.S.); (C.P.); (A.J.S.)
- Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Renata Della Torre
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.S.); (R.D.T.); (M.R.d.S.); (A.M.); (S.S.); (C.P.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Marta Rosário dos Santos
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.S.); (R.D.T.); (M.R.d.S.); (A.M.); (S.S.); (C.P.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Adriana Moutinho
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.S.); (R.D.T.); (M.R.d.S.); (A.M.); (S.S.); (C.P.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Sofia Solinho
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.S.); (R.D.T.); (M.R.d.S.); (A.M.); (S.S.); (C.P.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Constança Proença
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.S.); (R.D.T.); (M.R.d.S.); (A.M.); (S.S.); (C.P.); (A.J.S.)
| | | | - Ana Jorge Santos
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal; (P.S.); (R.D.T.); (M.R.d.S.); (A.M.); (S.S.); (C.P.); (A.J.S.)
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de Vries B. State-Run Dating Apps: Are They Morally Desirable? PHILOSOPHY & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 37:30. [PMID: 38404949 PMCID: PMC10881628 DOI: 10.1007/s13347-024-00719-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
In a bid to boost fertility levels, Iran and Japan have recently launched their own dating apps, with more countries likely to follow. The aim of this article is to consider whether state-run dating apps are morally desirable, which is a question that has not received any scholarly attention. It finds that such apps have at least two benefits that collectively, if not individually, render their introduction to be welcomed provided certain conditions are met. These benefits are that they are better placed than commercial dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble, and Badoo to (i) help people find lasting love and to (ii) protect individuals from spending too much money and/or time on online dating. Several objections are discussed and shown to be unconvincing as arguments against state-run dating apps tout court, including the objection that for states to offer their own dating apps is unduly expensive; the objection that it gives them too much power; and the objection that they should invest in creating offline opportunities for meeting potential partners instead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bouke de Vries
- Department of Philosophy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Khattar V, Huete N, Navarro R. Attachment insecurity and breadcrumbing engagement in young adults: a cross-sectional, cross-country study in India and Spain. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:356. [PMID: 37880762 PMCID: PMC10601106 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01404-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breadcrumbing, defined as the act of sending out flirtatious, but non-committal text messages to lure a sexual/romantic partner without expending much effort, has gained attention in popular culture and the media due to its relevance to contemporary dating dynamics. However, there is lack of evidence of the association between attachment insecurity and breadcrumbing This study aims to uncover the potential relationship between breadcrumbing engagement and attachment insecurity among Indian and Spanish young adults. METHODS Data were collected through an anonymous online survey answered by 334 adults in India and by 348 adults in Spain aged between 18 and 40 years old. A linear regression model in both countries was run to examine breadcrumbing engagement and its relationship with the set of sociodemographic variables included in the study (participants' age and sex, sexual orientation, relationship status and educational level) and the two dimensions of attachment insecurity (anxious and avoidant). RESULTS The results showed that insecure attachment, both anxious and avoidant, were associated with engaging in breadcrumbing in both the countries. However, there was a stronger association between anxious attachment and breadcrumbing in India compared to Spain, where the association was stronger between avoidant attachment and breadcrumbing. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study offer insight into an under-studied practice in the context of interpersonal relationships (i.e., breadcrumbing behaviour) and show the importance of attachment theoretical framework to hypothesize and analyse expectations regarding strategies to negotiate intimate relationships and the breadcrumbing experience particularly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Khattar
- Faculty of Education & Psychology, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, 390002, India
| | - Nuria Huete
- Faculty of Business Economic, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, 02071, Spain
| | - Raúl Navarro
- Faculty of Education and Humanities, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, 16071, Spain.
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Marston HR, Morgan DJ, Earle S, Hadley RA. Shiver Me Tinders and Ring a Ding for a Fling-Sex Tech Use during COVID-19: Findings from a UK Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11060897. [PMID: 36981554 PMCID: PMC10048256 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11060897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Existing research surrounding dating apps has primarily focused on younger people with few studies exploring usage of such apps by middle aged and older adults. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic challenged social behaviours and forced people to adapt intimacy and wider relationship conduct. The objective of this study was to examine how older adults utilized dating apps during the lockdowns of the UK pandemic (December 2020-May 2021). Findings presented here focus on qualitative data collected from an online survey and eight online, one-to-one interviews with adults aged 40-54 years. The online survey targeted adults across the UK while interviewees were located across England. Employing interpretative phenomenological analysis, findings identified three key themes: 1. Morality, health, and law breaking and COVID-19; 2. Self-surveillance and moral signalling; 3. Loneliness and social isolation. Qualitative findings show engaging with apps was a proxy which alleviated feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Some users used the premise of their social bubble as a way of meeting other people. Using the same premise, others justified breaking the law to engage in physical and sexual intimacy to mitigate their loneliness. The work presented here contributes to the fields of social sciences, gerontology, and human computer interaction. The inter- and multi-disciplinary impact of this study intersects across those fields and offers a cross-sectional insight into behaviours and engagement with technology during one of the most extraordinary global events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R Marston
- School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Deborah J Morgan
- Centre for Innovative Ageing, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Sarah Earle
- School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Robin A Hadley
- School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
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Online Dating for People with Disabilities: A Scoping Review. SEXUALITY AND DISABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11195-022-09771-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Marston HR, Musselwhite CBA. Improving Older People's Lives Through Digital Technology and Practices. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2021; 7:23337214211036255. [PMID: 34527764 PMCID: PMC8436304 DOI: 10.1177/23337214211036255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Aging and Technology special issue showcases twelve papers spanning a range and diversity of international scholarly research within the field of ageing and technology. The collection of papers demonstrates the positive impact technology can have on the lives of older people including improving cognitive performance, physical and mental health and people's daily activities and practices. There are still barriers to use, including psychological issues of motivation, attitudes, privacy and trust and social issues involving learning to use the technology. In conclusion, to help overcome these barriers, it is recommended that research and development of technology involves older people as co-developers working with stakeholders from different disciplines and backgrounds.
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