Motivasi, Preferensi, Fear of Being Single, Intensitas Penggunaan, dan WIllingness to Spend Money Pengguna Dating Apps

Abstract

Pencarian pasangan kini sudah dapat dilakukan secara virtual melalui dating apps. Di Indonesia, jumlah pengguna dating apps diperkirakan mencapai 4,6 juta orang pada tahun 2025 dan terus mengalami peningkatan setiap tahunnya. Setiap individu memiliki motivasi yang berbeda dalam menggunakan dating apps. Terkadang, tekanan dari keluarga dan teman dapat memicu fear of being single (FOBS), perasaan cemas akan melajang yang mendorong individu menjalin hubungan romantis. Dating apps memberikan kemudahan dalam menemukan pasangan yang sesuai dengan preferensi individu. Dalam proses pencarian pasangan, individu cenderung akan berinvestasi dalam waktu yang dituangkan dalam frekuensi penggunaan aplikasi dan uang yang dilihat dari kesediaan mereka membelanjakan uang untuk pasangan yang ditemui melalui dating apps. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk 1) mengidentifikasi karakteristik individu motivasi, preferensi pasangan, fear of being single (FOBS), intensitas penggunaan aplikasi, dan willingness to spend money dewasa awal pengguna dating apps; 2) menganalisis hubungan antara karakteristik individu, motivasi, preferensi pasangan, fear of being single (FOBS), intensitas penggunaan aplikasi, dan willingness to spend money dewasa awal pengguna dating apps; 3) menganalisis pengaruh motivasi, preferensi pasangan, fear of being single (FOBS), intensitas penggunaan aplikasi, dan willingness to spend money dewasa awal pengguna dating apps. Penelitian menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan desain explanatory. Data dikumpulkan secara daring melalui Google Form yang disebarkan melalui media sosial. Responden dipilih menggunakan purposive sampling dengan kriteria berusia 20 hingga 34 tahun dan merupakan pengguna dating apps. Sebanyak 1.635 orang berpartisipasi menjadi responden penelitian yang tersebar di berbagai wilayah di Indonesia. Variabel motivasi diukur dengan mengadaptasi Tinder Motivation Scale milik Sumter et al. (2017) (a = 0,809). Variabel preferensi pasangan diukur dengan menggunakan Iranian Mate Preferences Scale-20 milik Atari (2017) (a = 0,849). Variabel fear of being single (FOBS) diukur menggunakan fear of being single scale (FOBSS) milik Spielmann et al. (2013) (a = 0,816). Intensitas penggunaan aplikasi diukur dengan mengadaptasi dan modifikasi Tinder use scale milik Sumter et al. (2017) dan the online dating intensity scale milik Bloom dan Taylor (2019) dengan Cronbach’s alpha 0,830. Variabel willingness to spend money diukur dengan memodifikasi Investment Scale milik Lund (1985) (a = 0,807). Tekanan keluarga dan teman diukur menggunakan family and friends pressure milik Sprecher dan Felmlee (2021) (a = 0,570). Data dianalisis menggunakan analisis deskriptif, analisis korelasi, dan Struktural Equation Modeling (SEM). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan mayoritas responden merupakan perempuan, dengan rentang usia 22-23 tahun. Domisili responden sebagian besar di Jawa Barat dan Jakarta dan merupakan anak pertama. Responden didominasi oleh suku Jawa dan pendidikan terakhir S1. Pekerjaan pelajar/mahasiswa dan pegawai swasta, dengan rentang pendapatan bulanan Rp3.000.001 hingga Rp5.000.000. Rata-rata responden hanya menggunakan satu dating apps dan telah menggunakannya lebih dari setahun. Mayoritas responden menunjukkan motivasi rendah pada seks kasual, sedang pada untuk kemudahan komunikasi, cinta, validasi harga diri, kegembiraan, dan tren. Preferensi pasangan responden menunjukkan kategori tinggi terhadap kebaikan, daya tarik fisik, status sosial ekonomi, pendidikan, dan religiusitas. Tingkat FOBS responden cenderung sedang, meskipun tekanan keluarga dan teman tergolong rendah. Sementara intensitas penggunaan aplikasi dan willingness to spend money berada pada kategori sedang. Hasil uji hubungan menunjukkan jenis kelamin berhubungan negatif signifikan dengan motivasi dan willingness to spend money. Usia berhubungan negatif signifikan dengan motivasi, preferensi pasangan, dan willingness to spend money, namun berhubungan positif signifikan dengan tekanan dan FOBS. Domisili berhubungan positif signifikan dengan preferensi pasangan, namun berhubungan negatif signifikan dengan intensitas penggunaan aplikasi. Hasil lainnya menunjukkan bahwa suku/etnis berhubungan negatif signifikan dengan FOBS. Pendidikan responden memiliki hubungan positif signifikan dengan preferensi pasangan dan willingness to spend money, sementara pekerjaan berhubungan negatif signifikan dengan tekanan dan FOBS. Pendapatan juga diketahui berhubungan negatif signifikan dengan preferensi pasangan. Lama pemakaian aplikasi berkorelasi negatif signifikan dengan preferensi pasangan. Selain itu, ditemukan korelasi positif signifikan antara motivasi dengan preferensi pasangan, FOBS, intensitas penggunaan aplikasi, dan willingness to spend money. Preferensi pasangan berhubungan positif signifikan dengan tekanan, FOBS, dan willingness to spend money. Sementara itu, intensitas penggunaan aplikasi berhubungan positif signifikan dengan willingness to spend money. Uji pengaruh langsung menunjukkan bahwa FOBS berpengaruh terhadap motivasi, intensitas penggunaan aplikasi, dan willingness to spend money. Motivasi memengaruhi preferensi pasangan, intensitas penggunaan aplikasi, dan willingness to spend money. Preferensi pasangan juga berpengaruh terhadap willingness to spend money, begitu pula dengan intensitas penggunaan aplikasi. Selain itu, studi ini menemukan bahwa FOBS dipengaruhi oleh tekanan keluarga dan juga teman. Sementara itu, uji pengaruh tidak langsung mengungkapkan bahwa FOBS secara tidak langsung berpengaruh signifikan terhadap willingness to spend money melalui motivasi dan intensitas penggunaan aplikasi. Pengaruh tidak langsung FOBS terhadap willingness to spend money juga dapat melalui motivasi dan preferensi pasangan. Motivasi turut willingness to spend money secara tidak langsung melalui preferensi pasangan dan intensitas penggunaan aplikasi. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, pengguna dating apps disarankan untuk fokus meningkatkan rasa percaya diri melalui pengembangan diri dan pola pikir positif, guna mengurangi ketergantungan pada validasi eksternal. Mereka juga diharapkan menggunakan aplikasi dengan bijak untuk membangun hubungan bermakna, menghindari terbuai janji manis, dan tidak mudah percaya pada orang yang ditemui di aplikasi. Pengguna juga diharapkan lebih rasional dalam mempertimbangkan tindakan dan komitmen dalam hubungan, agar tidak terjebak dalam impulsivitas demi sekadar mencari pasangan.

In the current digital era, the search for a romantic partner has shifted significantly to online platforms, with dating apps becoming a popular medium. In Indonesia, the number of dating app users is estimated to reach 4.6 million by 2025 and continues to grow annually. Individuals have diverse motivations for using these apps. Sometimes, pressure from family and friends can trigger fear of being single (FOBS)—an anxiety about remaining single—that leads individuals to pursue romantic relationships. Dating apps offer various features that enable users to find a partner who meets their specific preferences. During the partner-seeking process, individuals tend to invest both time—reflected in the frequency of app usage—and money—seen in their willingness to spend money on potential partners they meet through the app. This behavior is most common among young adults aged 20–30, a developmental stage where forming romantic relationships becomes a significant life focus. This study aims to 1) identify individual characteristics, motivations, partner preferences, fear of being single (FOBS), app usage intensity, and willingness to spend money among young adult users of dating apps; 2) analyze the relationship between individual characteristics, motivations, partner preferences, fear of being single (FOBS), intensity of app usage, and willingness to spend money among young adult users of dating apps; 3) analyze the influences of motivations, partner preferences, fear of being single (FOBS), app usage intensity, and willingness to spend money among young adult users of dating apps. A quantitative research approach with an explanatory design was applied in this study. Data collection was conducted online through Google Forms, with the survey distributed via social media platforms. Respondents were selected using purposive sampling, with inclusion criteria of being aged 20–34 years and active dating app users. A total 1.635 young adults voluntarily participated in this research. Motivation was measured using Tinder Motivation Scale by Sumter et al. (2017) (a = 0,809). Partner preferences were measured using the Iranian Mate Preferences Scale-20 by Atari (2017) (a = 0,849). The Fear of Being Single (FOBS) variable was assessed using the Fear of Being Single Scale (FOBSS) by Spielmann et al. (2013) (a = 0,816). App usage intensity was measured by adapting and modifying the Tinder Use Scale by Sumter et al. (2017) and the Online Dating Intensity Scale by Bloom and Taylor (2019) with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.830. The willingness to spend money variable was assessed by modifying the Investment Scale by Lund (1985) (a = 0,807). Family and friend pressure was measured using the Family and Friends Pressure Scale by Sprecher and Felmlee (2021) (a = 0,570). Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings show that the majority of respondents were female, aged 22–23 years. Most respondents were located in West Java and Jakarta and were first-born children. The respondents were predominantly of Javanese ethnic, with the majority holding a bachelor's degree. Their primary occupations were students and private-sector employees, with a monthly income range of IDR 3.000.001 to IDR 5.000.000. On average, respondents used only one dating app and had been using it for over a year. Most respondents showed low motivation for ease of communication, self-esteem validation, and casual sex, while motivation related to love, excitement, and trends was moderate. Partner preferences showed a high tendency for kindness, moderate importance for physical attractiveness, socioeconomic status, education, and religiosity. The FOBS level was generally low, as was family and friend pressure, app usage intensity, and willingness to spend money, which were all categorized as low. Correlation analysis show that gender had a significant negative relationship with motivation and willingness to spend money. Age also had a significant negative relationship with motivation, partner preferences, and willingness to spend money but was positively correlated with family and friend pressure and FOBS. Domicile was positively associated with partner preferences but negatively correlated with app usage intensity. Ethnicity had a significant negative relationship with FOBS. Education was positively related to partner preferences and willingness to spend money, while occupation had a significant negative relationship with family and friend pressure and FOBS. Income was negatively correlated with partner preferences. The duration of app use was negatively correlated with partner preferences but positively correlated with motivation and app usage intensity. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between motivation and partner preferences, FOBS, app usage intensity, and willingness to spend money. Partner preferences were positively correlated with family and friend pressure, FOBS, and willingness to spend money. Meanwhile, app usage intensity was positively associated with willingness to spend money. The direct effect indicate that FOBS significantly influenced motivation, app usage intensity, and willingness to spend money. Motivation affected partner preferences, app usage intensity, and willingness to spend money. Partner preferences were also found to significantly affect willingness to spend money, as did app usage intensity. Additionally, the study found that FOBS was influenced by both family and friend pressure. Indirect effect tests show that FOBS indirectly influenced willingness to spend money through motivation and app usage intensity. The indirect effect of FOBS on willingness to spend money was also mediated by motivation and partner preferences. Lastly, motivation indirectly influenced willingness to spend money through partner preferences and app usage intensity. Based on the research findings, dating app users are encouraged to focus on enhancing their self-esteem through personal growth and positive thinking, which can help reduce their dependence on external approval. They should also be mindful in using the app, aiming to form meaningful connections while remaining cautious of overly flattering promises and being selective in trusting individuals they encounter online. Additionally, users are urged to adopt a more thoughtful and rational approach in their relationship decisions, avoiding impulsive actions driven purely by the desire for companionship.