데이팅 어플리케이션 사용자의 외로움 수준과 우울감에 관한 연구: 어플리케이션의 문제적 사용과 부정 감정의 매개효과 = Loneliness and Depression among Users of Dating Applications: The Mediating Effects of Problematic Application Use and Negative Emotions

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

As the use of dating applications steadily increases, these platforms offer relational benefits by facilitating active romantic exploration. However, high dependency on dating apps or negative emotional outcomes may also arise. Grounded in the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT), this study hypothesized that individuals with higher levels of loneliness exhibit stronger motivations to use dating apps and that certain characteristics of loneliness may lead to problematic use and negative emotions. Specifically, this research aimed to investigate how individuals experiencing loneliness perceive and are affected by negative situations encountered during dating app use, and how excessive dependence or obsession with these apps impacts them. Accordingly, the study examined the influence of loneliness on dating app use, as well as the mediating role of problematic use and negative emotion stemming from social rejection in the relationships between loneliness, social self-efficacy, and perceived depression. Results indicated that loneliness decreases social self-efficacy and increases perceived depression, with problematic use and negative emotion serving as mediators in this process.
Additionally, significant gender differences were found; men exhibited a greater tendency for problematic use to alleviate loneliness, and the impact of rejection-related negative emotions on social self-efficacy was more pronounced among men than women. This study contributes to understanding the complex mechanisms through which dating app use affects emotional well-being and highlights the need for designing interventions and programs to promote healthy app usage habits and mitigate negative experiences. The findings underscore the importance of developing applications and programs that support the emotional well-being of social app users.