The relationship between psychological and behavioral variables and compulsive online dating site use among homosexual and bisexual men

Studies in recent years indicate a sharp rise in the use of internet dating websites. The use of such websites is more common among sexual minorities, such as homosexual and bisexual men, prompting questions regarding the compulsive use of these portals, and the psychological factors that may contribute to this. However, few studies have addressed this issue. The purpose of the current study is to explore the relationship between psychological factors (e.g. depression, loneliness, internalized homophobia and maladaptive cognitions) and the compulsive use of dating websites, by means of a sample of Israeli homosexual and bisexual men.

The investigation was based on a cognitive-behavioral model contextualizing pathological internet use (Davis, 2001), in which pathological internet use is explained by depression and social isolation, a relationship in which maladaptive cognitions serve as mediating variables. Building this paradigm, and with the objective of further contextualizing the compulsive use of internet dating sites use and the concomitant impact on daily life, the study presents a multi-variate model with adjustments corresponding to unique features of our study population. The explaining variable (social isolation) and the outcome variable (pathological internet use) of the original model have been replaced by the variables sense of loneliness and compulsive use of dating websites respectively. In addition, the study introduced two further explaining variables to the model, internalized homophobia and general self-efficacy, together with two additional outcome variables length of use of dating sites and experienced disruption to daily life due to use.

The research sample consisted of 230 homosexual or bisexual men, all of whom used internet dating sites. Recruitment was via convenience sampling, followed by snowball sampling. Participants completed self-reporting online questionnaires and a demographic questionnaire. Questionnaires were distributed via relevant social network groups, and through an internet dating site (Atraf Dating). Data analysis included bi-variate correlation and a multivariate analysis, using a three-step hierarchical regression model.

The study identified significant direct links between depression and internalized homophobia, and length of use and compulsive use. A significant relationship was also found between compulsive use and experienced disruption to daily life. However, no significant relationship was found between sense of loneliness and compulsive use, or between general self-efficacy and compulsive use. Maladaptive cognitions concerning sexual activity were found to increase the compulsive aspect of the use of internet dating sites. Both measures of this variable (increased need for sex, and experienced control of sexual thoughts) were found to partially mediate the relationship between depression and compulsive use; the measure of increased need for sex fully mediated the relationship between depression and length of use. Additionally, it was found that compulsive use of internet dating sites mediated the relationship between maladaptive cognitions, length of use, and internalized homophobia and experienced disruption to daily life. It is important to note that the study produced two unique findings. The first identified a relationship between internalized homophobia and compulsive use, partially explained by maladaptive cognitions concerning sexual activity. The other is the fact that according to the questionnaire, 17.8% of the research participants were compulsive users of internet dating sites.

The current study makes a unique contribution to the existing literature on the subject, being the first to investigate the relationship between psychological and cognitive factors and the compulsive use of internet dating sites by Israeli homosexual and bisexual men, and the relationship between the compulsive use of internet dating sites and disruptions to daily life as a consequence. Thus, the study's findings facilitate a deeper understanding of the use of internet dating sites, and the distinction between the normative and pathological use of such sites.

The findings present a basis for developing targeted personal or group intervention programs, capable of reflecting the unique needs of homosexual and bisexual men, while integrating aspects of similar programs from the field of addiction treatment. Such interventions can play a role in alleviating the social stress experienced by members of sexual minority groups, and in reducing the stigmatization of these groups.

Apart from the clinical aspect, the findings present several possible lines of inquiry for future research, expanding the study of compulsive use to other discrete populations such as heterosexual men, heterosexual women and lesbian women. Other possibilities include comparative studies, of heterosexual men vs homosexual or bisexual men, and qualitative studies focusing on the unique personal experience of users. These proposed lines of research can shed more light on the psychological factors and attributes that contribute to to compulsive use and consequent disruption to daily life.