Social exchange theory and gender differences in online dating applications and self-esteem: the mediation effects of interpersonal relationships satisfaction

Abstract

The aims of this quantitative cross-sectional study were to use social exchange theory to comprehend and examine the relationships between online dating applications (ODA), interpersonal relationships satisfaction and self-esteem, the mediation effects of interpersonal relationships satisfaction between ODA and self-esteem, and gender differences on ODA, interpersonal relationships satisfaction and self-esteem. In this study, interpersonal relationships satisfaction was divided into friendship and romantic relationship, these two were explored separately. A total sample of 402 ODA users over the age of 18 (N = 402, mean = 27.04 years, SD = 5.78, Female = 47.51%, Male = 52.49%) were surveyed in this study. Users’ feelings on ODA were measured using a self-designed questionnaire, interpersonal relationships satisfaction for friendship and romantic relationship was measured using Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and self-esteem level was measured using Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The relationships were tested using linear regression, mediation effects between the variables were tested using linear regression and bootstrap test, and the gender differences of the variables were tested using independent sample T-test. The results indicated that most users had slightly good feelings on ODA. The relationships between users' feelings on ODA, interpersonal relationships satisfaction and self-esteem were significantly positive, interpersonal relationships satisfaction of friendship and romantic relationship had full mediation effects on the relationship between users' feelings on ODA and self-esteem, and there were gender differences on all these variables. Social exchange theory can be applied to comprehend that low cost of using ODA allowing users to achieve better interpersonal relationships satisfaction and self-esteem. The implications of the results and the study’s theoretical contributions are discussed.