“All These Extra Mental Gymnastics”: Gender Roles, Cultural Values, and Racialized Discrimination in Online Dating

Dating apps have revolutionized the way people seek romantic connections, boasting a staggering 320 million users worldwide. An estimated 20%-40% of adults in the United States reported meeting their romantic partners online. While online dating research has become more popular, little attention has been paid to the experiences of racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) individuals and the unique obstacles they encounter. Utilizing the Minority Stress Model and intersectionality theory, this study investigates how overlapping marginalized identities influence REM individuals' experiences in online dating settings, revealing structural discrimination, identity-based stresses, and their effects. Through semistructured interviews, the research identified key challenges and analyzed intersectional experiences. The themes included gendered expectations, cultural compatibility, identity salience, stigma, and emotional burnout. Drawing upon participants' perspectives captured through a phenomenological approach, the study illuminates these concerns and furthers academic knowledge and therapeutic implications, promoting empathy, cultural awareness, and equity in online dating.