Online Dating During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is it the New Norm?

Authors

Sara Henry, Chapman UniversityFollow
Emily Foster, Chapman UniversityFollow
Alexandra Kraft, Chapman UniversityFollow
Amanda N. Gesselman, Indiana University
Amy Moors, Chapman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 5-5-2022

Faculty Advisor(s)

Amy Moors

Abstract

For many who were single during the COVID-19 pandemic, this public health crisis may have led to issues with dating or finding a romantic partner. To understand the impact of the pandemic on dating life, in the present study, we examined single people’s dating app usage collected as part of The Kinsey Institute’s annual Singles in America project. Using a nationally representative sample of people who were currently single in the U.S. (N = 4,877 with an average age of 45.92), we found that the vast majority of single people (96%) were using dating apps (e.g., Tinder, Bumble, Match) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sixty-two percent of the sample identified as women and 37.4% identified as men; 88.5% identified as heterosexual and 11.5% identified as a sexual minority (gay, lesbian, or bisexual). One-quarter (24.9%) of single people were using dating apps more frequently than compared to before the pandemic; nearly one-half (42.5%) were less active during the pandemic (the remaining reported no change in dating app usage). Multiple linear regression results show that men and sexual minorities were using dating apps at a higher frequency during the pandemic, compared to women and heterosexual people, respectfully (B = .16, p = .006 and B = .19, p = .01). Age was not associated with dating app usage during the pandemic. Information about video date usage and enjoyment will be discussed as well as common video date activities (e.g., long conversations, sex, games) during the pandemic. Taken together, these results suggest that dating app usage decreased during the pandemic (except for men and sexual minorities), which is likely due to health concerns. At the same time, video dating may have become a new norm during this time period.

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2022 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

This scholarship is part of the Chapman University COVID-19 Archives.

Recommended Citation

Henry, Sara; Foster, Emily; Kraft, Alexandra; Gesselman, Amanda N.; and Moors, Amy, "Online Dating During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Is it the New Norm?" (2022). Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters. 509.
https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/cusrd_abstracts/509