The agony of partner choice: Excessive partner availability increased fear of being single, and perceived overload, and decreased self-esteem

The agony of partner choice: The effect of excessive partner availability on fear of being single, self-esteem, and partner choice overload. Marina F. Thomas, Alice Binder, Jörg Matthes. Computers in Human Behavior, August 6 2021, 106977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106977

Highlights

• Survey (Study 1) and experiment (Study 2) both showed adverse effects of excessive partner availability.

• In Study 1, dating app use related to increased partner availability, which in turn related to higher fear of being single.

• In Study 2, we manipulated low, moderate, or high partner availability by assigning 11, 31, or 91 dating app profiles.

• Higher partner availability increased fear of being single, and perceived overload, and decreased self-esteem.

Abstract: Dating apps advertise with high availability of potential partners because users seem to prefer extensive choice. However, on the basis of consumer decision making research, we theorized that such excessive choice could have adverse effects, specifically on fear of being single, self-esteem, and partner choice overload. In Study 1, a survey with 667 adults between 18 and 67, dating app use was associated with an increased perception that the number of potential partners is numerous which, in turn, predicted higher fear of being single. In Study 2, we replicated the positive effect of partner availability on fear of being single in an experimental design with 248 adults between 18 and 38. We experimentally induced low, moderate, or high partner availability by assigning 11, 31, or 91 dating app profiles of allegedly available potential partners to participants. High (compared to low) partner availability increased fear of being single, decreased participants’ state self-esteem, and increased partner choice overload. Findings demonstrate pitfalls of excessive swiping on dating apps and extend choice overload literature by revealing effects on novel outcomes.

Keywords: Dating app usePartner availabilityFear of being singleSelf-esteemPartner choice overload