New Study Cites Higher Rates of Depression Among Dating App Users

A new study found that dating app users experienced higher rates of depression and hypersexuality, or sex addiction. Researchers said it could point to those who already struggle with mental health issues using dating apps as a coping mechanism.

According to Psy Post, researcher and author Giacomo Ciocca, an assistant professor at Sapienza, University of Rome, explored these two mental health challenges as they relate to dating apps, to see if there was a correlation. “Much evidence shows that the formation of couple relationships is often related to the use of dating apps. Also, sexual behavior is mediated by the use of these technological tools. Therefore, psychological research is called to study this contemporary phenomenon,” he said in the paper.

The research team surveyed 1,000 Italians between ages 18 and 60 via an online questionnaire. Participants answered questions about “relationship status, sexual orientation, contraceptive use, and whether they were currently in a stable or casual sexual relationship,” according to Psy Post. They were also asked whether they used dating apps.

Researchers found that dating app users, about 12 percent of respondents, had more symptoms of depression than non-users. They also found that app users were more likely to have casual sex partners while those who did not use apps were more likely to be in a stable relationship. (Notably, dating app users were also more likely to use condoms than non-users.) Researchers also found that dating app users were more likely to be male, younger than 40, single, and non-heterosexual.

Ciocca and his team highlighted the link between depression, increased sexual impulses, and dating apps, noting that the apps could be helping people cope. “This evidence could mean that some hypersexual and/or depressed individuals recurringly use dating apps to alleviate their psychological and sexological suffering,” he told Psy Post.

Alternatively, people looking to boost their self-esteem through dating apps might also tend toward depression and hypersexuality. According to Cosmopolitan, Ciocca went on to say: “It is also possible to consider the role of dating apps as a 'transitional object', providing security, emotional well-being and symbolic connection with a valued other, for some users attempting to cope with their internal depressive feelings by having sex.”

Ciocca does point out that there is an opportunity that dating apps are currently missing, where their platforms could be used to help people instead of as a coping mechanism. “…it would be appropriate to consider dating apps as a place to eventually promote psychological, relationship and sexological health," he said.