Meaning Making of Intimacy, Passion and Commitment: Lived Experiences of Unmarried Adults in Online Romantic Relationships

Background: Technological advancements and the prevalence of online dating apps in India are shaping the landscape of romantic relationships. The pressures of living in a work-centric and fragmented offline world have forced individuals to seek romance through online dating apps. Much of urban India struggles to make sense of this new phenomenon and its impact. The current qualitative study attempted to understand the lived experiences of unmarried couples who initiated contact through online dating platforms.

Methods: The study used a qualitative design and employed Thematic Analysis to capture relevant themes. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit ten (10) participants for semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted through online mode. The participants were Indians residing in Bengaluru whose ages ranged between 25 to 49 years (mean = 33.2 years) and who were currently in a heterosexual relationship that had been initiated through online dating platforms at least six months before their recruitment.

Findings: The results of the Thematic Analysis revealed that online dating comes with a plethora of challenges. Furthermore, intimacy, passion and commitment were found to be vital in online romantic relationships, fostering essential elements for successful and meaningful partnerships. A conceptual framework mapping the process involved in building meaningful online romantic relationships was also developed.

Conclusion: The study provided useful insights about modern relationships in India by identifying themes and interpretations of intimacy, passion and commitment discussed in conversations regarding the development of romantic relationships.