Impact of Online Dating App Usage on Self Esteem and Appearance Anxiety

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of online dating app usage on self-esteem and appearance anxiety. A review of existing literature explores the potential for both positive and negative influences, with factors such as social comparison and experiences of rejection potentially leading to decreased self-esteem and heightened appearance anxiety. A study was conducted with 150 participants (75 male, 75 female) from India utilizing established measures: Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale and the Appearance Anxiety Inventory. There was no significant impact on self-esteem overall (p = 0.39), but dating app usage did increase appearance anxiety for both men and women (p = 0.39). There was a gender difference for non-users, with women reporting lower self-esteem (p = 0.0008461) and higher appearance anxiety (p = 0.0116) compared to men. Interestingly, this self-esteem gap disappeared for dating app users (p = 0.4439), suggesting dating apps might create a more even playing field for appearance anxiety. These findings challenge the stereotype that dating apps hurt self-esteem, especially for women.