The pursuit of happiness: A multinational exploration into the effects and outcomes of online dating

Calli Tzani; Maria Ioannou; John Synnott; Thomas James Vaughan Williams; Vasiliki  Artinopoulou; Lamprini Ntountoumi; Arta Dodaj; Kristina Sesar; Greta  Darmanin Kissaun; Elena  Cattelino; Antonio Chirumbolo; Roberto Baiocco; Maria Rosaria Nappa; Mara Morelli; Bethany Vaughan

doi:10.1108/mhsi-03-2025-0089

The pursuit of happiness: A multinational exploration into the effects and outcomes of online dating

Calli Tzani, Maria Ioannou, John Synnott, Thomas James Vaughan Williams, Vasiliki Artinopoulou, Lamprini Ntountoumi, Arta Dodaj, Kristina Sesar, Greta Darmanin Kissaun, Elena Cattelino, Antonio Chirumbolo, Roberto Baiocco, Maria Rosaria Nappa, Mara Morelli, Bethany Vaughan

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the effects of online dating platforms on users’ wellbeing and the success rates of forming relationships through these services. Given the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of online dating, this study aims to provide empirical insights into its outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach: This study used a sample of 618 participants from four countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy and Malta) to gain a comprehensive perspective on online dating experiences. Data was collected to assess both the impact on wellbeing and the likelihood of forming relationships through these platforms.

Findings: The results indicated that using online dating platforms did not significantly affect users’ wellbeing, either positively or negatively. In addition, most users were unable to establish committed or casual relationships through these platforms, suggesting limited success in achieving romantic or personal connections.

Originality/value: These findings highlight potential inefficiencies in online dating platforms in facilitating meaningful relationships or personal benefits for users. The study contributes to ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of such services and provides a foundation for future research on their impact and potential improvements.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	774-781
Number of pages	8
Journal	Mental Health and Social Inclusion
Volume	29
Issue number	6
Early online date	15 Apr 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1108/mhsi-03-2025-0089
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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Tzani, C., Ioannou, M., Synnott, J., Williams, T. J. V., Artinopoulou, V., Ntountoumi, L., Dodaj, A., Sesar, K., Darmanin Kissaun, G., Cattelino, E., Chirumbolo, A., Baiocco, R., Nappa, M. R., Morelli, M., & Vaughan, B. (2025). The pursuit of happiness: A multinational exploration into the effects and outcomes of online dating. Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 29(6), 774-781. https://doi.org/10.1108/mhsi-03-2025-0089

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title = "The pursuit of happiness: A multinational exploration into the effects and outcomes of online dating",

abstract = "Purpose: This study investigates the effects of online dating platforms on users{\textquoteright} wellbeing and the success rates of forming relationships through these services. Given the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of online dating, this study aims to provide empirical insights into its outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a sample of 618 participants from four countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy and Malta) to gain a comprehensive perspective on online dating experiences. Data was collected to assess both the impact on wellbeing and the likelihood of forming relationships through these platforms. Findings: The results indicated that using online dating platforms did not significantly affect users{\textquoteright} wellbeing, either positively or negatively. In addition, most users were unable to establish committed or casual relationships through these platforms, suggesting limited success in achieving romantic or personal connections. Originality/value: These findings highlight potential inefficiencies in online dating platforms in facilitating meaningful relationships or personal benefits for users. The study contributes to ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of such services and provides a foundation for future research on their impact and potential improvements.",

keywords = "Dating, Online, Internet, Wellbeing, Confidence",

author = "Calli Tzani and Maria Ioannou and John Synnott and Williams, \{Thomas James Vaughan\} and Vasiliki Artinopoulou and Lamprini Ntountoumi and Arta Dodaj and Kristina Sesar and \{Darmanin Kissaun\}, Greta and Elena Cattelino and Antonio Chirumbolo and Roberto Baiocco and Nappa, \{Maria Rosaria\} and Mara Morelli and Bethany Vaughan",

note = "Funding Information: Funding: This study received support from Hrvatska Zaklada za Znanost, Grant No. 3553. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025, Emerald Publishing Limited.",

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doi = "10.1108/mhsi-03-2025-0089",

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Tzani, C , Ioannou, M , Synnott, J , Williams, TJV, Artinopoulou, V, Ntountoumi, L, Dodaj, A, Sesar, K, Darmanin Kissaun, G, Cattelino, E, Chirumbolo, A, Baiocco, R, Nappa, MR, Morelli, M & Vaughan, B 2025, 'The pursuit of happiness: A multinational exploration into the effects and outcomes of online dating', Mental Health and Social Inclusion, vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 774-781. https://doi.org/10.1108/mhsi-03-2025-0089

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T2 - A multinational exploration into the effects and outcomes of online dating

AU - Tzani, Calli

AU - Ioannou, Maria

AU - Synnott, John

AU - Williams, Thomas James Vaughan

AU - Artinopoulou, Vasiliki

AU - Ntountoumi, Lamprini

AU - Dodaj, Arta

AU - Sesar, Kristina

AU - Darmanin Kissaun, Greta

AU - Cattelino, Elena

AU - Chirumbolo, Antonio

AU - Baiocco, Roberto

AU - Nappa, Maria Rosaria

AU - Morelli, Mara

AU - Vaughan, Bethany

PY - 2025/12/1

Y1 - 2025/12/1

N2 - Purpose: This study investigates the effects of online dating platforms on users’ wellbeing and the success rates of forming relationships through these services. Given the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of online dating, this study aims to provide empirical insights into its outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a sample of 618 participants from four countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy and Malta) to gain a comprehensive perspective on online dating experiences. Data was collected to assess both the impact on wellbeing and the likelihood of forming relationships through these platforms. Findings: The results indicated that using online dating platforms did not significantly affect users’ wellbeing, either positively or negatively. In addition, most users were unable to establish committed or casual relationships through these platforms, suggesting limited success in achieving romantic or personal connections. Originality/value: These findings highlight potential inefficiencies in online dating platforms in facilitating meaningful relationships or personal benefits for users. The study contributes to ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of such services and provides a foundation for future research on their impact and potential improvements.

AB - Purpose: This study investigates the effects of online dating platforms on users’ wellbeing and the success rates of forming relationships through these services. Given the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of online dating, this study aims to provide empirical insights into its outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a sample of 618 participants from four countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy and Malta) to gain a comprehensive perspective on online dating experiences. Data was collected to assess both the impact on wellbeing and the likelihood of forming relationships through these platforms. Findings: The results indicated that using online dating platforms did not significantly affect users’ wellbeing, either positively or negatively. In addition, most users were unable to establish committed or casual relationships through these platforms, suggesting limited success in achieving romantic or personal connections. Originality/value: These findings highlight potential inefficiencies in online dating platforms in facilitating meaningful relationships or personal benefits for users. The study contributes to ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of such services and provides a foundation for future research on their impact and potential improvements.

KW - Dating

KW - Online

KW - Internet

KW - Wellbeing

KW - Confidence

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VL - 29

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EP - 781

JO - Mental Health and Social Inclusion

JF - Mental Health and Social Inclusion

IS - 6

ER -

The pursuit of happiness: A multinational exploration into the effects and outcomes of online dating

Abstract

UN SDGs

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