1
, HRPYC81 – PROJECT 1, ASSIGNMENT 4
2025
DUE: OCTOBER 2025
Submitted by:
[Your Full Name]
Student Number:
[Your Student Number]
University of South Africa (UNISA)
NAVIGATING SOLITUDE AND DESIRE: AN ANALYSIS OF LONELINESS,
MOTIVATIONS, AND PARTNER SELECTION IN ONLINE DATING
2
, ABSTRACT
The contemporary landscape of romantic relationships has been profoundly
transformed by the emergence and widespread adoption of online dating platforms.
These digital environments provide novel avenues for interpersonal connection, yet
they also present unique psychological and social dynamics that warrant rigorous
investigation. This study critically examines the intricate interplay between loneliness,
motivational factors, and partner selection within online dating contexts, offering a
comprehensive analysis of how these variables coalesce to shape individual
experiences of digital romance. Loneliness, conceptualized as the subjective
perception of social isolation and emotional disconnection, has been consistently
linked to increased engagement with online dating platforms, suggesting that
individuals may seek digital companionship as a compensatory mechanism for unmet
emotional needs. This research posits that motivations for using dating apps are
multidimensional, encompassing social, emotional, recreational, and self-affirmation
needs, each influencing the criteria and processes by which individuals select romantic
partners. By synthesizing empirical findings from psychology, sociology, and digital
communication studies, the study delineates the cognitive and affective mechanisms
that govern partner preferences, highlighting how users’ motivational orientations
shape both short-term and long-term relationship outcomes.
Furthermore, this research interrogates the potential psychological and social
consequences of online dating, including the implications of mismatched expectations,
relational satisfaction, and the reinforcement of loneliness or social connectivity. The
study underscores the significance of contextual factors, such as age, gender, cultural
background, and digital literacy, in moderating these effects, thereby offering a
nuanced understanding of online dating behaviors. Methodologically, the research
employs validated psychometric instruments, including the UCLA Loneliness Scale
and the Motives for Online Dating Scale, to capture quantifiable insights into users’
experiences, motivations, and relational choices. Descriptive and inferential statistical
analyses provide a robust framework for testing hypotheses regarding the
associations between loneliness, motivational drivers, and partner selection
strategies, facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of patterns and trends in online
dating interactions.
3
, HRPYC81 – PROJECT 1, ASSIGNMENT 4
2025
DUE: OCTOBER 2025
Submitted by:
[Your Full Name]
Student Number:
[Your Student Number]
University of South Africa (UNISA)
NAVIGATING SOLITUDE AND DESIRE: AN ANALYSIS OF LONELINESS,
MOTIVATIONS, AND PARTNER SELECTION IN ONLINE DATING
2
, ABSTRACT
The contemporary landscape of romantic relationships has been profoundly
transformed by the emergence and widespread adoption of online dating platforms.
These digital environments provide novel avenues for interpersonal connection, yet
they also present unique psychological and social dynamics that warrant rigorous
investigation. This study critically examines the intricate interplay between loneliness,
motivational factors, and partner selection within online dating contexts, offering a
comprehensive analysis of how these variables coalesce to shape individual
experiences of digital romance. Loneliness, conceptualized as the subjective
perception of social isolation and emotional disconnection, has been consistently
linked to increased engagement with online dating platforms, suggesting that
individuals may seek digital companionship as a compensatory mechanism for unmet
emotional needs. This research posits that motivations for using dating apps are
multidimensional, encompassing social, emotional, recreational, and self-affirmation
needs, each influencing the criteria and processes by which individuals select romantic
partners. By synthesizing empirical findings from psychology, sociology, and digital
communication studies, the study delineates the cognitive and affective mechanisms
that govern partner preferences, highlighting how users’ motivational orientations
shape both short-term and long-term relationship outcomes.
Furthermore, this research interrogates the potential psychological and social
consequences of online dating, including the implications of mismatched expectations,
relational satisfaction, and the reinforcement of loneliness or social connectivity. The
study underscores the significance of contextual factors, such as age, gender, cultural
background, and digital literacy, in moderating these effects, thereby offering a
nuanced understanding of online dating behaviors. Methodologically, the research
employs validated psychometric instruments, including the UCLA Loneliness Scale
and the Motives for Online Dating Scale, to capture quantifiable insights into users’
experiences, motivations, and relational choices. Descriptive and inferential statistical
analyses provide a robust framework for testing hypotheses regarding the
associations between loneliness, motivational drivers, and partner selection
strategies, facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of patterns and trends in online
dating interactions.
3
