Exploring how dating apps may contribute to sexual violence among men who have sex with men

Dating App Facilitated Sexual Violence Perpetration among Men who Have Sex with Men

NIH-funded research University of Central Florida · NIH-10933031

This study is looking at how using dating apps might be linked to sexual violence among men who have sex with men, especially considering things like drinking and stress from being part of a sexual minority, and it aims to gather insights from a national group of app users to help find ways to prevent such harmful behaviors.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Central Florida NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Orlando, United States)
Project IDNIH-10933031 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the connection between dating app usage and sexual violence perpetration among men who have sex with men (MSM). It aims to understand how factors like alcohol consumption and sexual minority stress influence the likelihood of engaging in harmful behaviors through these platforms. By recruiting a national sample of MSM who use dating apps, the study will gather data through surveys and interviews to identify risk and protective factors associated with dating app facilitated sexual violence. The findings could inform interventions to reduce sexual violence in this population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are men aged 18-50 who have used dating apps in the past three months.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use dating apps or are outside the age range of 18-50 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted strategies that reduce the incidence of sexual violence among men who have sex with men.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on dating app facilitated sexual violence among MSM is relatively novel, related research has shown that understanding the dynamics of online interactions can inform prevention strategies for sexual violence.

Where this research is happening

Orlando, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.