Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Dating apps are increasingly used across the adult lifespan, yet little is known about age-related differences in dating app motivations and the links to psychological well-being.In this cross-sectional study, 301 dating app users (18-86 years; M = 52.4,SD = 16.5)self-reported five motivations (social approval, relationship seeking, sexual experience, socializing, and entertainment), as well as life satisfaction, loneliness, and depressive and anxiety symptoms.Older age among dating app users was associated with lesser sexual experience, relationship seeking, and social approval motivations but higher socializing motivation, with no age differences in entertainment motivation.Greater social approval motivation predicted higher levels of loneliness among older adults but not young adults.This suggests that, among older dating app users, greater loneliness may increase the desire to gain social approval, and/or seeking social approval in older age may increase loneliness. Public Significance StatementThis study shows that older adults use dating apps for different reasons than younger users, placing greater emphasis on socializing and less on sexual experiences, relationship seeking, and social approval.Motivation to gain social approval is associated with greater loneliness in older dating app users, highlighting the importance of designing age-friendly dating platforms and interventions that promote meaningful social connection rather than external validation.
Source: Psychology and Aging
DOI: 10.1037/pag0000985
Authors: Rong Liang, Phoebe E. Bailey
Institution: University of Technology Sydney
Language: English
Subfield: Demography
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7154579762
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