Exploring the interplay between tinder use, general self-esteem, and sexual self-esteem among European emerging adults

Abstract

Background The use of online dating apps such as Tinder has become widespread among emerging adults. However, findings regarding the impact of Tinder use on users’ self-esteem are mixed, and it remains unclear whether associations differ across general and sexual self-esteem domains. The present study examined whether Tinder use and its frequency were associated with general and sexual self-esteem in a large sample of emerging adults from Switzerland and Italy. Methods A total of 2,283 participants (M*age* = 23.9 ± 3.0, 76.3% female, 60.3% Italian) completed an anonymous online survey assessing Tinder use (former/current or never), frequency of use, and standardised measures of general self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and sexual self-esteem (Sexuality Scale). We conducted four multiple linear regression analyses to test whether Tinder use or Tinder use frequency among users predicted general and sexual self-esteem, while controlling for sex, age, socioeconomic status, education, relationship status, and nationality. Results Tinder use was common (64.7% former or current users), and Tinder users reported slightly lower general self-esteem than non-users (p = .044), whereas use frequency showed no association with self-esteem. In contrast, Tinder use was positively associated with sexual self-esteem (p < .001), whereas use frequency showed no significant association among users. Conclusions Tinder use was associated with lower general self-esteem and higher sexual self-esteem, whereas frequency of use among users showed no association in either domain. These findings highlight distinct and divergent pathways between online dating behaviour and self-perceptions, underscoring the importance of considering both general and sexual self-esteem when examining the psychological correlates of dating app use. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-026-04599-y.