April 22-24, 2021
Promoting Equity in Health Communication Research
Promoting Equity in Health Communication Research
Abstract: Negotiating desire and boundaries on dating apps during the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for the transformation of sexual health communication
Sexual practices of single young adults have changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Because bars and party venues have closed or limited capacity due to the pandemic many people have turned to dating apps such as Tinder. Consequently, there has been a sharp uptick in the number of exchanges and the length of these interactions. The COVID-19 pandemic has served to amplify previous behaviors and communication between potential sexual partners on Tinder. The formation of new communication scripts emerged as well. By and large the decision to hookup pre-pandemic only impacted the two individuals who hooked up, but during COVID-19 hooking up carries more extensive implications. There are more factors that individuals must consider and communicate about when using apps to meet people and deciding whether or not meet face to face (FtF). This modification, however, assumes that a current rule structure or script exists, and this is unlikely during the time of COVID-19 as such a pandemic has not existed during the time of online dating. Thus, the following research questions were posed: How have college students using dating apps such as Tinder adapted their use during COVID-19? How are college students communicating about risk and boundaries regarding COVID-19 on dating apps?
The Institutional Review Board approved this study. A quantitative survey consisting of 10 demographic questions and 59 questions about communication on Tinder, personal beliefs about Tinder and how and why participants use Tinder was administered to 149 undergraduate students. Of the 149 people, 29 people said they were willing to be interviewed. 11 were selected at random, contacted, and interviewed via Zoom (audio recorded only). Results show that Tinder users are currently balancing the need for intimacy and physical connection with the desire for safety, both needs amplified due to COVID-19. Individuals are using social exchange theory to gauge whether the costs of remaining on Tinder or meeting someone FtF are worth the benefit.
Previous sexual scripts for Tinder users regarding first time FtF meetings have been modified as the traditional public spaces for meeting have been reduced or eliminated and replaced by private spaces. New scripts about health, sexual health, and infection transmission are entering into the conversations on dating apps and helping users decide if and when meet up FtF. The hope is that the skills people develop due to COVID-19 will remain with them and empower them to discuss, get tested for, and disclose STIs in the future. COVID-19 has made people more aware of their health in general, particularly pertaining to infections. Some positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic might be the increase in skill, social acceptability, and comfort communicating boundaries, consent, and sexual health. In addition, it may decrease embarrassment around getting tested for infections and sharing test results, particularly on college campuses that are doing regular COVID-19 testing. Perhaps these topics will become more routine among college-aged adults and become ingrained in their everyday interactions dating online.
The Institutional Review Board approved this study. A quantitative survey consisting of 10 demographic questions and 59 questions about communication on Tinder, personal beliefs about Tinder and how and why participants use Tinder was administered to 149 undergraduate students. Of the 149 people, 29 people said they were willing to be interviewed. 11 were selected at random, contacted, and interviewed via Zoom (audio recorded only). Results show that Tinder users are currently balancing the need for intimacy and physical connection with the desire for safety, both needs amplified due to COVID-19. Individuals are using social exchange theory to gauge whether the costs of remaining on Tinder or meeting someone FtF are worth the benefit.
Previous sexual scripts for Tinder users regarding first time FtF meetings have been modified as the traditional public spaces for meeting have been reduced or eliminated and replaced by private spaces. New scripts about health, sexual health, and infection transmission are entering into the conversations on dating apps and helping users decide if and when meet up FtF. The hope is that the skills people develop due to COVID-19 will remain with them and empower them to discuss, get tested for, and disclose STIs in the future. COVID-19 has made people more aware of their health in general, particularly pertaining to infections. Some positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic might be the increase in skill, social acceptability, and comfort communicating boundaries, consent, and sexual health. In addition, it may decrease embarrassment around getting tested for infections and sharing test results, particularly on college campuses that are doing regular COVID-19 testing. Perhaps these topics will become more routine among college-aged adults and become ingrained in their everyday interactions dating online.