Sexualized self-presentation dominates visuals on dating apps, linked to negative body image

Sexualized self-presentation is prevalent on mobile dating apps, particularly in profile pictures, according to research published in Body Image.

Mobile dating applications (MDAs) like Tinder and Bumble have reshaped how young adults present themselves to potential partners, such as by prioritizing traits like sexual attractiveness. While research often focuses on MDA usage patterns, less attention has been given to how users engage in sexualized self-presentation.

Drawing on theories like the Hyper-Personal Model and Goffman’s Dramaturgical Model, Femke Konings and colleagues investigated how factors such as gender, sexual orientation, and body image influence this behavior.

This study employed a data donation linkage design. A total of 443 participants (ages 18-30), predominantly women (72%), shared screenshots of their profiles from MDAs. These submissions included 1,277 profile pictures and 443 biographies.

The researchers developed a comprehensive codebook to systematically assess indicators of sexualized self-presentation, both in textual and visual cues. Textual elements included references to sexual activity, body parts, or casual sex motivations, while visual cues captured features like revealing clothing, sexualized body poses, and facial expressions. Coders underwent rigorous training to ensure consistency and reliability.

A subset of 237 participants also completed a linkage survey measuring body image through scales like the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 and the Body Appreciation Scale-2. These measures assessed both negative body image (e.g., body shame, dissatisfaction) and positive body image (e.g., body appreciation, broad conceptualizations of beauty).

The researchers found that sexualized self-presentation was more prevalent in visual cues compared to textual ones. Specifically, 56.8% of profile pictures contained at least one indicator of sexualization, whereas only 4.3% of biographies included sexualized textual elements. The most common visual indicator was sexualized facial expressions, present in 41% of profile pictures. Other visual elements, such as revealing clothing or sexualized poses, appeared less frequently.

While users prioritized visual over textual sexualization, this often remained within socially acceptable boundaries, reflecting a balance between attracting attention and avoiding excessive sexualization.

Individual differences emerged as key factors influencing sexualized self-presentation. Women were more likely than men to display sexualized visual cues, aligning with traditional gender norms emphasizing physical attractiveness. Non-heterosexual users were also more inclined to include sexualized textual elements, such as references to casual sex motivations, compared to heterosexual participants. Interestingly, no significant differences were observed between users of Tinder and Bumble, suggesting that platform-specific features may have limited influence on sexualized self-presentation

Additionally, correlates of negative body image, including body shame and face dissatisfaction, were positively associated with visual sexualization. In contrast, no significant links were found between positive body image traits, such as body appreciation, and engagement in sexualized self-presentation.

One limitation is that the sample’s sociodemographic homogeneity limits generalizability.

The research, “A linkage study investigating sexualized self-presentation on mobile dating apps and user traits,” was authored by Femke Konings, Sindy R. Sumter, and Laura Vandenbosch.