Motives for using dating applications among emerging adults

Abstract

This study investigated the motives for using dating applications among emerging adults in Vietnam, identified four primary motives: "Social Inclusion/Socializing," "Seeking Relationships," "Entertainment," and "Enhancing Sexual Experience." The findings revealed that the "Social Inclusion/Socializing" motive received the highest level of agreement, reflecting the need for social connection during the early stage of adulthood. The "Seeking Relationships" motive ranked second, indicating an interest in romantic relationships, while the "Entertainment" motive received a relatively low level of agreement, suggesting that the apps are less commonly used for entertainment purposes. Notably, the "Enhancing Sexual Experience" motive had the lowest score, reflecting the cultural sensitivity surrounding sexuality in Asian societies. The study also found significant gender differences in this motive, with males reporting higher levels of agreement than females, as well as in the "Seeking Relationships" motive. These differences may be explained by evolutionary theory and social structural theory. The study contributes to the understanding of dating application usage behavior in the Vietnamese cultural context and provides insights for marketing strategies. However, the research is limited regarding sample size and sampling method.