Winter Babette L, Janousch Clarissa, Wehrli Fabienne S V, Fehr Jan S, Hampel Benjamin, Quednow Boris B
Department Public and Global Health, Institute of Epidemiology Biostatistics and Prevention, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Experimental Pharmacopsychology and Psychological Addiction Research, Department of Adult Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
BMJ Public Health. 2025 Sep 8;3(2):e002569. doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2025-002569. eCollection 2025.
The rise of online dating apps (ODAs) has raised concerns about potential mental and sexual health risks, particularly among emerging adults. However, limited research exists on how problematic ODA use and health outcomes are associated during this sensitive transition phase of early adulthood.
Data were collected in an anonymous online survey from 923 Swiss university students (64% female) who had actively used ODA in the past 12 months. The Problematic Online Dating Apps Use Scale (PODAUS) and a variety of mental health, substance use and sexual health outcomes were assessed. Regression models were applied to examine associations between problematic ODA use and health outcomes. Measurement invariance (MI) of the PODAUS was tested across females and males. In a subsample (=275), the PODAUS was retested at a 14-day follow-up.
Higher intensity of problematic ODA use was significantly associated with more symptoms of depression, impulsivity and a higher number of sexual partners. Furthermore, a higher PODAUS score was associated with higher lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of sexually transmitted infections. PODAUS demonstrated good internal consistency (α=0.73) and acceptable retest reliability (r=0.54**), while MI was confirmed across genders.
We identified significant associations between problematic ODA use and adverse health outcomes in a student population. Our findings highlight the necessity for targeted mental health interventions and sexual health education for university students, especially for those students exhibiting problematic ODA use patterns.
在线约会应用程序（ODA）的兴起引发了人们对潜在的心理和性健康风险的担忧，尤其是在新兴成年人中。然而，在成年早期这个敏感的过渡阶段，关于ODA使用问题与健康结果之间的关联研究有限。
通过匿名在线调查收集了923名瑞士大学生（64%为女性）的数据，这些学生在过去12个月内积极使用过ODA。评估了问题在线约会应用程序使用量表（PODAUS）以及各种心理健康、物质使用和性健康结果。应用回归模型来检验问题ODA使用与健康结果之间的关联。在男性和女性中测试了PODAUS的测量不变性（MI）。在一个子样本（=275）中，在14天的随访中对PODAUS进行了重新测试。
问题ODA使用强度越高，与更多的抑郁症状、冲动性以及性伴侣数量越多显著相关。此外，PODAUS得分越高，与性传播感染的终身患病率和12个月患病率越高相关。PODAUS表现出良好的内部一致性（α=0.73）和可接受的重测信度（r=0.54**），同时在不同性别间确认了测量不变性。
我们在学生群体中发现了问题ODA使用与不良健康结果之间的显著关联。我们的研究结果强调了对大学生进行有针对性的心理健康干预和性健康教育的必要性，特别是对于那些表现出问题ODA使用模式的学生。
