Problematic online dating app use was associated with lower mental and sexual health in MSM, including significant positive associations with depression, loneliness, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and impulsivity, and negative associations with body acceptance, sexual fulfillment, and lifetime STI prevalence.
Key Findings
Results
The German version of the Problematic ODA Use Scale (PODAUS) demonstrated valid and reliable psychometric properties in an MSM sample.
Confirmatory factor analysis supported PODAUS' 6-item unidimensional structure with excellent fit indices
Internal consistency was good (α = 0.79)
Test-retest reliability was high (rs = 0.68)
The scale was validated in 226 HIV-negative MSM attending HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis counseling
Follow-up assessment was conducted at 6 months (n = 164, mean age = 42, SD = 11)
Results
Problematic ODA use was significantly positively associated with symptoms of depression, loneliness, anxiety, ADHD, and impulsivity, with medium to large effect sizes.
Multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate these associations
Effect sizes were characterized as medium to large for mental health outcomes
All five mental health outcomes (depression, loneliness, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, impulsivity) showed significant positive associations with PODAUS scores
Sample consisted of 226 HIV-negative MSM at baseline
Results
Problematic ODA use was significantly negatively associated with body acceptance and sexual fulfillment, with small to medium effect sizes.
Both body acceptance and sexual fulfillment showed significant negative associations with PODAUS scores
Effect sizes for sexual health outcomes were characterized as small to medium
Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess these associations
These findings indicate that higher problematic ODA use was associated with worse sexual health outcomes
Results
Problematic ODA use was significantly positively associated with trait sex motivation and lifetime prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Trait sex motivation showed a significant positive association with PODAUS scores
Lifetime prevalence of STIs showed a significant positive association with PODAUS scores
Effect sizes for these sexual health associations were small to medium
These associations were identified through multiple linear regression analyses in the MSM sample
Methods
The study sample consisted of HIV-negative MSM seeking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis counseling, assessed at baseline and 6-month follow-up.
226 participants were assessed at baseline
164 participants completed the 6-month follow-up assessment
Mean age was 42 years (SD = 11)
All participants were HIV-negative and attending PrEP counseling
The study investigated associations with mental health, substance use, and sexual behavior outcomes
What This Means
This research suggests that using online dating apps in a problematic or potentially addictive way is linked to poorer mental and sexual health among gay and bisexual men (men who have sex with men, or MSM). The study surveyed 226 HIV-negative men who were seeking HIV prevention medication (PrEP), asking about their dating app habits and various health measures at the start of the study and again six months later. Men who scored higher on a measure of problematic dating app use reported more symptoms of depression, loneliness, anxiety, ADHD, and impulsivity, as well as lower satisfaction with their bodies and their sex lives.
The researchers also developed and validated a German-language version of a scale called the PODAUS (Problematic Online Dating App Use Scale), confirming it is a reliable and valid tool for measuring problematic dating app use. This is notable because it provides researchers and clinicians with a standardized way to identify and study this behavior. The scale showed strong consistency both internally and over time.
This research suggests that problematic dating app use may be an important factor to consider in the overall health of MSM, particularly in clinical settings like PrEP counseling where these men are already engaged with healthcare providers. The connections found between problematic app use and conditions like ADHD, impulsivity, and higher rates of sexually transmitted infections point to potential areas where additional screening or support might be beneficial. However, because this was an observational study, it cannot establish whether problematic dating app use causes these health issues or whether people experiencing these health challenges are more likely to use dating apps problematically.
Winter B, Hampel B, Janousch C, Hovaguimian F, Fehr J, Quednow B. (2025). Problematic online dating app use and its association with mental and sexual health outcomes in a sample of Men-having-Sex-with-Men.. Journal of behavioral addictions. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2024.00079