Exploring how Dating App Experience Shapes Self-esteem and Body Image among Late Adolescents

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21350348

Anshika Sehgal and Shikha Sarna Chawla (Amity University Punjab, Mohali, Punjab)

The digital tools have completely changed how we interact with others. Dating applications, as a prominent form of online social platforms, have gained widespread popularity and have become an important medium for communication, self-presentation, and relationship formation. This study tries to understand effects of using dating apps on self-esteem and body image among late adolescents, a stage of life marked by finding their identity and being more affected by others opinions. A quantitative method was used to study the connection among dating app use, self-esteem levels, and perceptions of body image. Information was gathered from late adolescents through Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), the McCabe Body Image Scale (McCabe & Ricciardelli, 2001), and an adapted version of Online Dating Questionnaire (Orosz et al., 2018) to assess the dating app experience. Statistical tests such as correlation and independent t-test were applied to understand the relationship between variables and check gender differences. The findings indicated a positive relationship between the use of dating applications and self-esteem, suggesting that more use of these platforms may contribute to better self-confidence, possibly due to approval and positive responses . Similarly, a clear positive connection was found between dating applications and body image perception, indicating that online interaction can impact how people perceive their appearance. The results showed no major gender difference, which means both males and females are affected in a similar way by dating app usage. The results also indicated no significant gender differences, suggesting that both males and females are similarly influenced by dating app usage in terms of self-perception. The study shows that digital platforms can influence well-being in more than one way and suggests that dating applications, when used appropriately, may serve as tools for enhancing confidence and self-perception among adolescents. However, the findings should be understood carefully, considering the effect of personal differences and usage habits. The study adds to existing research by providing a valuable understanding of the psychological impact of using dating applications.