Construction and Navigation of Dating App Use Among Minoritized Health Service Psychology Graduate Students

Despite growing use of online dating apps, guidelines from health service psychology (HSP) programs and associations often do not address dating app use while engaging in clinical work. This qualitative study explored how 11 diverse graduate students in HSP doctorate programs navigate their own dating apps use. We used semistructured individual interviews and a consensual qualitative research methodology to identify core areas of experience among participants and major themes. Regarding app use, participants discussed the necessity of using dating apps to meet others (particularly sexual minority individuals), concerns about seeing clients on apps, and strategies for mitigating identification on dating apps by clients. Regarding program messages about dating app use, participants identified receiving general social media messages, a lack of messages about dating app use by sexual and gender minority trainees, a lack of messages implying negative attitudes, outright negative attitudes, professional repercussions, and dating app stigma. Dating apps are used in a different manner than general social media, so it is important for programs and professional organizations to provide students with guidance on ethical dating app use while doing clinical work. We outline strategies for integrating dating apps into professional social media ethics training.