Study: Rejection Sensitivity May Fuel Unhealthy Dating App Habits

A recent study published in Computers in Human Behavior has revealed a strong connection between certain psychological insecurities and how young adults use dating apps. Researchers found that individuals with high levels of social appearance anxiety, social interaction anxiety, and rejection sensitivity are more likely to view dating apps as helpful tools for building relationships and managing their self-image. However, these same traits are also tied to a greater risk of excessive or problematic use.

The study, named “Too vulnerable to resist: Problematic use of dating apps associated with social appearance anxiety, social interaction anxiety, and rejection sensitivity,” was proposed and authored by An-Di Gong and Yi-Ting Huang.

The study surveyed over 5,400 young adults in Taiwan, primarily men with an average age of 27, all of whom had used a dating app in the past month. Using structural equation modeling, researchers examined how these psychological characteristics influenced both perceived benefits and behavioral risks associated with dating app use.

One key finding is that rejection sensitivity plays a central role. Participants who were more anxious about their appearance or social interactions tended to be more sensitive to perceived rejection. That, in turn, was strongly linked to compulsive app usage. While dating apps were seen by anxious users as useful for making connections and curating how they’re seen by others, these perceived advantages often led to a preference for online over offline interaction — and, in some cases, unhealthy dependence.

The results reflect competing theories in digital communication: while apps can compensate for real-world social challenges, they may also worsen issues for vulnerable users. The researchers caution that the cross-sectional nature of the data limits conclusions about causality, and the male-skewed sample may not represent all users.

The authors suggest that app designers and mental health professionals consider these psychological patterns when developing tools or interventions to support healthier use among anxious or rejection-sensitive users.