Call for papers - Hookup culture and online dating

Guest Editors

Cassandra Alexopoulos, PhD, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA
Ángel Castro, PhD, University of Zaragoza, Spain

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 17 February 2025

BMC Psychology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Hookup culture and online dating.

This Collection invites researchers to contribute their insights into the psychological dimensions of hookup culture and online dating. By examining the impact of technology on romantic interactions and exploring the complexities of modern relationships, this Collection aims to advance our understanding of the evolving dynamics of dating and its implications for individuals' wellbeing and social norms.

New Content Item This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing.

Submit to Collection

Meet the Guest Editors

Back to top

Cassandra Alexopoulos, PhD, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA

Dr Cassandra Alexopoulos received her PhD in Communication from the University of California Davis in 2017. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Communication Department at the University of Massachusetts Boston. As a relational communication researcher, she is interested in the factors that influence romantic and sexual decision-making, exploring the conditions under which entertainment media (e.g., television) and new media (e.g., dating apps) can influence people’s sexual attitudes, perceptions, and intentions.

Ángel Castro, PhD, University of Zaragoza, Spain

Dr Ángel Castro is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Sociology at the University of Zaragoza, Spain. Dr Castro teaches classes at the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences on the Campus of Teruel, where also he serves as Vice-Dean for Teaching Staff and Research.

His main line of research focuses on the prevention and promotion of sexual health in adolescents and young people. Within this subject, Dr Castro has published more than 45 articles in journals included in the JCR, with various topics such as: sexual risk behaviors, gender inequalities as a risk for STI and sexual victimization, child sexual abuse, or sexuality in adults with intellectual disabilities.

In the last decade, his research has primarily focused on casual sex and on the use of dating apps in young people (uses, users, motives, and correlates).

About the Collection

BMC Psychology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Hookup culture and online dating.

The pervasive influence of hookup culture and the rise of online dating platforms have transformed contemporary dating practices, particularly among young adults. This Collection seeks to explore the psychological aspects of relationships, dating behaviors, and the impact of online dating and smartphone dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble, or Grindr, among others. Additionally, it aims to investigate phenomena like hookup culture, casual sex, and ghosting and breadcrumbing behaviors in dating, shedding light on the complexities of modern romantic interactions.

Advancing our collective understanding in this area is crucial for addressing the evolving dynamics of dating and relationships in the digital age. Recent research has delved into the psychological implications of online dating, including its effects on self-esteem, decision-making, and relationship satisfaction. Moreover, studies have examined the role of smartphone dating apps in shaping individuals' dating behaviors and attitudes, providing valuable insights into the intersection of technology and romance.

Continued research in this field holds the potential to uncover the long-term effects of contemporary dating practices on individuals' wellbeing and social dynamics. Furthermore, it may lead to the development of evidence-based interventions aimed at promoting healthy and fulfilling relationships in the context of hookup culture and online dating.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Psychology of relationships
Online dating and smartphone dating apps
Hookup culture and casual sex
Ghosting and breadcrumbing behaviors in dating
Contemporary dating practices among young adults
Impact of online dating on self-identity and mental health
Intersection of technology and romantic relationships
Gender dynamics in hookup culture and online dating
Ethical considerations in online dating research

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

Back to top

This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Hookup culture and online dating" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.