title: Psychological characteristics of Internet dating service users: the effect of self-esteem, involvement, and sociability on the use of Internet dating services.
abstract: This study explores the three major consumer characteristics that underlie the use of Internet dating services: self-esteem, involvement in romantic relationships, and sociability. A significant three-way interaction effect among these factors emerged. Among sociable people, individuals with high self-esteem are more likely to use Internet dating services than are those with low self-esteem when they are highly involved in romantic relationships. The opposite pattern was revealed for sociable people, however, when they are less involved in romantic relationships. That is, individuals with low self-esteem used Internet dating services more often than did those with high self-esteem when romantic relationships were not important. The implications for academic researchers and practitioners are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Advertising, Public Relations, and Retailing, College of Communication Arts and Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA. kimmi3@msu.edu
authors.forename: Mikyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyoung-Nan
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003380:Courtship; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012016:Reference Values; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior