BACKGROUND: The use of online dating apps such as Tinder has become widespread among emerging adults. However, findings regarding the impact of Tinder use on users' self-esteem are mixed, and it remains unclear whether associations differ across general and sexual self-esteem domains. The present study examined whether Tinder use and its frequency were associated with general and sexual self-esteem in a large sample of emerging adults from Switzerland and Italy. METHODS: = 23.9 ± 3.0, 76.3% female, 60.3% Italian) completed an anonymous online survey assessing Tinder use (former/current or never), frequency of use, and standardised measures of general self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and sexual self-esteem (Sexuality Scale). We conducted four multiple linear regression analyses to test whether Tinder use or Tinder use frequency among users predicted general and sexual self-esteem, while controlling for sex, age, socioeconomic status, education, relationship status, and nationality. RESULTS: Tinder use was common (64.7% former or current users), and Tinder users reported slightly lower general self-esteem than non-users (p = .044), whereas use frequency showed no association with self-esteem. In contrast, Tinder use was positively associated with sexual self-esteem (p < .001), whereas use frequency showed no significant association among users. CONCLUSIONS: Tinder use was associated with lower general self-esteem and higher sexual self-esteem, whereas frequency of use among users showed no association in either domain. These findings highlight distinct and divergent pathways between online dating behaviour and self-perceptions, underscoring the importance of considering both general and sexual self-esteem when examining the psychological correlates of dating app use.
Schmid et al. (Wed,) studied this question.