The interplay of internalized homophobia, compulsive use of dating apps, and mental distress among sexual minority individuals: Two moderated mediation models

The association between internalized homophobia and mental health problems is well-documented among sexual minority individuals. At the same time, growing evidence suggests that dating apps influence sexual minority individuals’ well-being in different ways. Using data collected from 2165 Israeli cisgender and transgender sexual minority individuals, this study examined the interplay of internalized homophobia, compulsive use of dating apps, and mental distress in this population. The findings show that compulsive use of dating apps mediates the association between internalized homophobia and mental distress, and that internalized homophobia mediates the association between compulsive use of dating apps and mental distress. The purpose of using dating apps does not moderate these mediated relationships. The results also suggested differences between the sample subgroups in levels of internalized homophobia, mental distress, and compulsive use of dating apps.