Serious An Exploratory Study of Incels’ Dating App Experiences, Mental Health, and Relational Well-Being

[InMemoriam]

An Exploratory Study of Incels’ Dating App Experiences, Mental Health, and Relational Well-Being​

Brandon Sparks
,
Alexandra M. Zidenberg
&
Mark E. Olver

Published online: 07 Sep 2023

ABSTRACT​

Incel refers to an online group of young males who feel frustration and despair at being repeatedly neglected on the dating market. Despite gaining notoriety for a number of public attacks, the majority of incel research is comprised of analyses of their forums rather than of individuals themselves. This provides a good contextual overview of the incel community but does not capture the experiences of incels or identify how and why this group responds so strongly to rejection. A total of 38 incel and 107 non-incel males (MAGE = 23.60, SD = 4.90) were recruited through Reddit and two institutional forums to participate in the present online study, completing questionnaires pertaining to their dating app experiences and their mental and relational well-being. Large differences between incels and non-incels were found, with the former reporting greater depressive symptoms, rejection sensitivity, relationship status influence, and insecure attachment. These were all associated with perceived popularity, which incels scored lower on. Incels also adopted more liberal dating app strategies, yet reported fewer matches, conversations, and in-person outcomes. The pattern of results reported sheds new light on the role that dating apps may play in incels’ efforts to attract mates and how these frustrations manifest. This is integral both to understanding the broader incel discourse as well as any efforts to develop treatment strategies with self-identified incels who seek counseling.

Introduction​

Despite an increasing number of options for finding a romantic or sexual partner in the 21st century, a growing number of individuals are finding it difficult to do so (Apostolou, Citation2015). This has resulted in the formation of groups who centralize around this experience, dubbing themselves “incels,” a portmanteau of involuntary celibates. While involuntary celibacy is not a new phenomenon, the latest iteration of incels is markedly different from previous generations (see Sparks et al., Citation2022 for a review) and have gained notoriety for a number of violent attacks (Hoffman et al., Citation2020).

 

[GeckoBus]

An Exploratory Study of Incels’ Dating App Experiences, Mental Health, and Relational Well-Being​

Brandon Sparks
,
Alexandra M. Zidenberg
&
Mark E. Olver

Published online: 07 Sep 2023

ABSTRACT​

Incel refers to an online group of young males who feel frustration and despair at being repeatedly neglected on the dating market. Despite gaining notoriety for a number of public attacks, the majority of incel research is comprised of analyses of their forums rather than of individuals themselves. This provides a good contextual overview of the incel community but does not capture the experiences of incels or identify how and why this group responds so strongly to rejection. A total of 38 incel and 107 non-incel males (MAGE = 23.60, SD = 4.90) were recruited through Reddit and two institutional forums to participate in the present online study, completing questionnaires pertaining to their dating app experiences and their mental and relational well-being. Large differences between incels and non-incels were found, with the former reporting greater depressive symptoms, rejection sensitivity, relationship status influence, and insecure attachment. These were all associated with perceived popularity, which incels scored lower on. Incels also adopted more liberal dating app strategies, yet reported fewer matches, conversations, and in-person outcomes. The pattern of results reported sheds new light on the role that dating apps may play in incels’ efforts to attract mates and how these frustrations manifest. This is integral both to understanding the broader incel discourse as well as any efforts to develop treatment strategies with self-identified incels who seek counseling.

Introduction​

Despite an increasing number of options for finding a romantic or sexual partner in the 21st century, a growing number of individuals are finding it difficult to do so (Apostolou, Citation2015). This has resulted in the formation of groups who centralize around this experience, dubbing themselves “incels,” a portmanteau of involuntary celibates. While involuntary celibacy is not a new phenomenon, the latest iteration of incels is markedly different from previous generations (see Sparks et al., Citation2022 for a review) and have gained notoriety for a number of violent attacks (Hoffman et al., Citation2020).

nice to see you post, im back btw

 

[Buried Alive 2.0]

Can't read article.