Investigating the Cultivation of Masculinity and Body Self-Attitudes for Users of Mobile Dating Apps for Men Who Have Sex With Men

In the present study, cultivation theory was used to investigate the use of mobile dating apps for men who have sex with men and whether usage of such apps would cultivate attitudes by increasing the chronic accessibility of promasculinity and promuscularity constructs for users. Daily, weekly, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Psychology of men & masculinity 2020-04, Vol.21 (2), p.266-277
Main Authors:	Miller, Brandon, Behm-Morawitz, Elizabeth
Format:	Article
Language:	eng ; chi
Subjects:	Access Attitudes Bisexuality Body Image Cultivation Dating Femininity Homosexuality (Attitudes Toward) Human Human Sex Differences Internalization Lesbianism Male Male Homosexuality Masculinity Men who have sex with men Mobile Applications Mobile Devices Moderators Same Sex Intercourse Self-Perception Sexual Attitudes Sexuality Social Dating
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Summary:	In the present study, cultivation theory was used to investigate the use of mobile dating apps for men who have sex with men and whether usage of such apps would cultivate attitudes by increasing the chronic accessibility of promasculinity and promuscularity constructs for users. Daily, weekly, and lifetime usage was examined in relation to effects on attitudes about men's own masculinity, femininity, and bodies, as well as feelings of internalized homonegativity. Findings indicated connections between usage and self-perceived masculinity, internalized homonegativity, and body dissatisfaction. Age, relationship status, education level, geographic location, and outness all served as important moderators of the main effects. The results of this research are discussed in light of cultivation theory, and lesbian, gay, and bisexual digital culture and community. Public Significance Statement Usage of mobile dating apps for men who have sex with men may serve to cultivate promasculinity and promuscularity attitudes. For men who have sex with men, such usage has been associated with a number of negative psychological and physical health outcomes. Findings indicate that there are important connections between longer term app usage and self-perceptions about masculinity, feelings of homonegativity, and one's body image.
ISSN:	1524-9220 1939-151X