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Single Parent Seeking Single Parent? The Effects of Parental and Previous Relationship Status on Perceptions of Online Dating Profiles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2016

Karyn M. Plumm ,
Shannon Sommer ,
Carolyn Uhl  and
Kaylee Stone
Karyn M. Plumm*
Affiliation:
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
Shannon Sommer
Affiliation:
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
Carolyn Uhl
Affiliation:
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
Kaylee Stone
Affiliation:
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
*
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Karyn Plumm, University of North Dakota, 264 Centennial Drive Stop 7144, Grand Forks ND 58202, USA. Email: karyn.plumm@und.edu
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Abstract

Despite limited research on single parent dating, one study found that perceptions of single adults in an online dating profile varied by their gender, number of children, and parental status (Sommer, Plumm, Terrance, & Tubré, 2013). This information may affect perceived desirability and dateability for potential mates. The current study explored the effects of a potential mate's parental and previous relationship status, as well as participant parental status, on the participants’ perceptions of a potential dating partner via an online dating profile. Participants (n = 251), who were single and looking to date, were asked to read a brief ‘About the person’ section of a dating profile and rate how they viewed the person on general positive traits, childrearing ability, family relationships, dating appeal, future investment, and stress. Results indicated that single parents and non-parents alike preferred partners with no children. Additionally, single parents viewed being divorced more positively than single adults who are not parents, whereas single adults with no children viewed the profile with no previous relationship most positively. Future research should focus on the participant's intent for viewing and selecting a mate through the means of online dating.

Keywords

single parentsperceptionsonline dating
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 7 , 2016 , e9
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2016 

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