Relationships between use of geosocial mobile dating application “the L″ and self-objectification among Chinese female sexual minorities

A growing number of studies have revealed the significant impact of social networking sites on heterosexual women's self-objectification. The present study examined the association between the use of the L (a dating application designed for female sexual minorities) and self-objectification among Chinese female sexual minorities. A total of 777 participants (515 lesbian, 239 bisexual, and 23 asexual women) were recruited online. Participants completed measurements of the L use patterns, objectification experiences in the L, appearance-oriented in partner preference, and self-objectification. The L use patterns include general use patterns (i.e., use time, selfies, likes, and comments) and dating motivation use patterns, the latter of which were indexed by seeking sexual or romantic partners and concerning nearby users. Results indicated that general usage time was not associated with self-objectification but had a significant indirect effect on self-objectification via the chain mediator of objectification experiences and appearance-oriented in partner preference. Selfie posting, receiving likes, and positive comments were positively correlated with self-objectification. Users with dating motivation reported higher levels of self-objectification, and the chain mediator of objectification experiences and appearance-oriented in partner preference mediated the relationship between dating motivation and self-objectification. The current findings highlight the effect of dating motivation on self-objectification in Chinese female sexual minorities.