TTLV: Personality traits and motivations for using online dating applications among young adults in early adulthood

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

1. Student's full name: Tran Thi Tung Lam 2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: September 2, 1999

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Decision on recognition of students No. 5626/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2023 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

6. Changes in the training process:

(record the forms of change and the corresponding time)

7. Thesis topic: Personality traits and motivations for using online dating applications in young adults

8. Major: Psychology (research orientation); Code: 8310401.01

9. Scientific advisor: Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Luot, Department of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

10. Summary of thesis results:

The study investigated the current state of personality traits, motivations for using dating apps, and the relationship between personality traits, motivations for using dating apps, and demographics among young Vietnamese adults in early adulthood. The results showed that agreeableness was the most prominent trait, while extroversion was the lowest; the female and gender nonconforming groups had higher levels of neuroticism; high-income earners tended to be more agreeable and conscientious; and the bisexual group showed the highest level of openness. Regarding motivations, "Social integration/interaction" was the strongest motivation, while "Increasing sexual experience" was the lowest. Females prioritized social interaction and entertainment motivations, while males favored relationship and sexual motivations; working people prioritized relationship seeking; people with postgraduate education had higher sexual motivations; and bisexuals had the highest entertainment motivations. Neuroticism, extroversion, and conscientiousness influenced socialization motivations; openness influenced entertainment motivations.

11. Practical application:

The results of the thesis have emphasized the importance of building a warning system for dating app users with signs of psychological trauma, helping them identify problems and seek timely support. At the same time, contributing to the construction and development of educational programs to help young people understand themselves, orient their goals in using the app and build healthy relationships.

12. Future research directions: further research on gender-diverse groups or groups with vulnerable personality traits.

13. Published works related to the thesis:

Tran Thi Tung Lam (2025). Motivations for using dating apps among young adults in early adulthood,Journal of Psychology(Manuscript confirmed for publication by the Journal of Psychology from March 2025)

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Tran Thi Tung Lam 2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: September 2, 1999 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision number: 5626/QD-XHNV Dated December 29, 2025

6. Changes in academic process:

(List the forms of change and corresponding times)

7. Official thesis title: Personality Traits and Motives for Using Online Dating Applications among Emerging Adults.

8. Major: Psychology (Research-oriented) 9. Code: 8310401.01

9. Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Luot, Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

10. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The study explores the current status of personality traits, motives for using dating applications, and the relationships among personality traits, dating app usage motives, and demographic factors in Vietnamese emerging adults. Findings indicate that agreeableness is the most prominent trait, while extraversion is the least expressed. Female and non-conforming individuals exhibit higher levels of neuroticism. Those with higher income tend to show greater agreeableness and conscientiousness. Bisexual individuals display the highest levels of openness. Regarding motives, “Social Inclusion/Socializing” is the strongest, while “Enhancing Sexual Experience” is the weakest. Females prioritize social and entertainment - related motives, whereas males are more inclined toward relationship-seeking and sexual motives. Employed individuals emphasize relationship-seeking, while those with postgraduate education exhibit stronger sexual motives. Bisexual participants report the highest level of entertainment motive. Neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness are associated with socializing motive, while openness is linked to entertainment motive.

11. Practical applicability, if any: The thesis highlights the importance of developing alert systems on dating applications to support users showing signs of psychological distress, helping them recognize issues and seek timely support. Additionally, it contributes to the development of educational programs aimed at helping young people better understand themselves, define purposeful app usage, and build healthy relationships.

12. Further research directions, if any: Further investigation into gender – diverse populations or individuals with personality traits associated with psychological vulnerability.

13. Thesis-related publications:

Tran Thi Tung Lam (2025). Motives for using dating apps among emerging adults.Journal of Psychology(manuscript accepted for publication, March 2025).