Role of trust and gender in the relationship between social penetration factors and attitudes toward suitors in online mobile dating applications

Online dating has become an alternative method to find a partner, whether for a serious relationship leading to marriage or just looking for fun or friendship. With the advancement of technology, dating can now happen simply by downloading a matchmaking or online dating app via one’s mobile phone. To keep up with this fastgrowing trend, this research has studied the role of trust and gender in the relationship between social penetration factors and attitude toward suitors in online mobile dating applications (MDAs) within the Malaysian context. This research has utilized quantitative surveys of Malaysian respondents who are Millennials (those born between 1977 and 1994). This research intends to support the social penetration factors and highlight the positive effect of online dating in Malaysia. Furthermore, positive attitudes toward online dating suitors are a strong predictor of perceived success in online dating. The research design utilized a cross-sectional survey such as pilot tests and questionnaires. The research design aims to measure the relationship between social penetration theory and online dating success in Malaysia. An extended Social Penetration Theory (SPT) model with five external elements was postulated (intention of use, self-disclosure, initiation of face-to-face interaction, trust, and attitudes toward suitors in online dating). Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) explained the relationship between variables. The study findings show a direct relationship between self-disclosure, initiation of face-to-face meetings, and attitudes toward suitors on mobile dating applications (MDAs). However, the intention of use requires a high level of trust before positive attitudes toward suitors in mobile dating applications are formed. Gender does not play a part in forming positive attitudes towards suitors while online dating. The implications of this study lie in its attempt to advance our understanding of online dating within the local Malaysian and Asian context. The study provides a deeper understanding of online dating needs, motivation, and trust to all stakeholders, including dating app developers, so that they can refine, modify, and update their policies.

Text 123321.pdf Download (1MB) Official URL or Download Paper: https://ethesis.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/18724

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