Grieving & Swiping: Online Dating as Consumers' Post-Breakup Resolution

Abstract

This study explores the underlying motivations of consumers’ usage of online dating applications after the breakup of romantic relationships. The experiences of young-adult consumers who went through post-breakup grief are investigated through in-depth interviews. Findings resulted in twelve categories of motivations that participating consumers had regarding their usage of dating apps, in relation to managing the grief after breakup. Motivations are grouped under the categories of coping, updating, and desiring. Moreover, findings also demonstrated diverging pathways in using dating apps for emotional resolution. The study contributes to our understanding of dating app usage by highlighting important insights from consumers who benefitted from these apps to manage their post-breakup grief. Furthermore, we suggest managerial implications for the online dating application industry drawing from the link between romantic breakups and dating app usage to design marketing strategies that can better relate to shifting consumer expectations. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.