Exploring how dating apps may contribute to sexual violence among men who have sex with men
Official title: Dating App Facilitated Sexual Violence Perpetration among Men who Have Sex with Men
Funded at University of Central Florida · NIH-10933031 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Central Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orlando, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $181,119 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA030834-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933031 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are men aged 18-50 who have used dating apps in the past three months.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use dating apps or are outside the age range of 18-50 may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Central Florida
Orlando, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woerner, Jacqueline — University of Central Florida
- Study coordinator: Woerner, Jacqueline
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.