(PS7-67) Motives Matter: Integrating Uses and Gratifications Theory and Sociocultural Factors of Eating Pathology in College Students Who Use Tinder

Abstract Text: Social media use and eating/body image concerns have been explored within use and gratification theory, which posits that individuals use social media to fulfill psychological needs, such as increasing self-esteem (Idid, 2012; Blumler & Katz, 2012; Rodgers et al., 2019), focusing on three main motivations: 1) social engagement, 2) personal identity development, and 3) entertainment. If psychological needs are fulfilled, use may relate to less harmful appearance-related outcomes (Choukas-Bradley et al., 2019, van Oosten et al., 2023 Andres & Saldana, 2014). Social media apps, such as Tinder, are widely used by college students (Barrada & Castro, 2020; Liang, 2023) and have been posited to fulfill various needs (Lang et al., 2016). These motivations, coupled with whether the motivation of use is satisfied, may be associated with eating pathology and body image concerns. The present cross-sectional study aimed to examine group differences in eating pathology and body image attitudes across motivations for Tinder use. A sample of undergraduate college students (N=305; M age= 21.4) ranked nine motivations to use Tinder (e.g., to hook up, to distract themself, etc.) and indicated whether or not their top motivation was fulfilled by using the app. Participants reported on eating disorder behaviors (EDE-Q-Binge Eating and EDE-Q-Dietary Restraint; Fairburn et al., 1982), body shame and body surveillance (Mckinley & Hyde, 1996), and media pressures for appearance change (Thompson et al., 1999). The most commonly reported motivation for Tinder use was to 'fill the time' (Entertainment; 16.8%) followed by ‘to go on dates’ (social gratification; 15.8%). Time spent on Tinder was insignificantly related to outcomes (p’s >.05). A one-way ANOVA test revealed significantly greater body shame in those who are motivated to use Tinder for personal identity development (M=4.25, S.D.=2.24) than those who are motivated by entertainment (M=3.10, S.D.=1.52, F (2,304) = 5.256, p = .046). A two-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences in outcomes if needs were or were not met by intended use (p’s >.05). Though cross-sectional, motivations of Tinder use may further contextualize its relation to deleterious body image outcomes. Future research should integrate uses and gratifications theories into existing cognitive behavioral models of eating pathology and body image concerns as well as examine these motivations in using other widely utilized social media app (e.g., TikTok). Clinical implications will also be discussed in working with college students who use dating apps.