Dulaney, MaKayla Dating Apps and Attachment: Anxiety and Avoidance in Modern Romance. Thesis. Radford University Scholars' Repository.
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Abstract
This study examined how adult attachment influences dating app behaviors, including usage patterns, motives, self-disclosure, and information-seeking during relationship initiation. Attachment theory suggests that early experiences with caregivers shape relational tendencies in adulthood, particularly in how individuals seek intimacy and manage closeness (Bowlby, 1969). As dating apps increasingly shape how romantic relationships are formed, understanding the role of attachment in digital interactions is essential. Using a standardized attachment measure, this study found that individuals higher in attachment anxiety reported more intense engagement with dating apps and were more likely to use them to seek romantic relationships, gain social approval, practice flirting and move on from previous partners. Attachment anxiety was also significantly positively related to seeking information – both intimate and non-intimate – about others on the apps. In contrast, individuals higher in attachment avoidance were less likely to self-disclose, especially intimate information, and were less likely to use dating apps for relationships or while traveling. Notably, both anxious and avoidant individuals were more likely to use dating apps for social approval, suggesting a shared interest in validation despite offering different relational strategies. These findings highlight how attachment orientations shape engagement with dating platforms and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of romantic behavior in digital contexts.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology |
| Divisions: | Radford University > College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences > Department of Psychology |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Jul 2025 17:12 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Jul 2025 17:12 |
| URI: | http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/1186 |
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