Una revisión de alcance sobre las relaciones entre vínculos sexo-afectivos y tecnologías digitales / A Scoping Review on the Relationships Between Sexual‑Affectional Bonds and Digital Technologies

Resumen Las aplicaciones de citas son cada vez más utilizadas, sobre todo entre las personas de las generaciones millennial y centennial. En el marco de dichas apps emergen fenómenos interactivos relativos a los vínculos sexo-afectivos que ameritan ser investigados. Este artículo presenta los resultados de una revisión de alcance (scoping review) sobre investigaciones que relacionan los vínculos sexo-afectivos y el uso de tecnologías digitales, publicadas en castellano y en revistas científicas de Iberoamérica entre los años 2009 y 2019. La búsqueda se realizó en las bases de datos Dialnet, Psyarticles, Redalyc, Scielo, Science Direct, Scopus y Web of Science .WOS). Luego de aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión a los 579 registros iniciales, se decantó una muestra final de 23 artículos. Los hallazgos muestran que las investigaciones se ocupan principalmente de cuatro temas: 1) los significados sobre el uso de aplicaciones de citas (dating apps); 2) los fenómenos digitales relacionados con los vínculos sexo-afectivos; 3) el sexting; y 4) la violencia entre parejas en Internet. La construcción de vínculos sexo-afectivos por medio de tecnologías digitales se vale de fenómenos psicosociales como la auto-presentación online, la desinhibición online y la comunicación asincrónica.

Abstract Dating apps are being widely used, especially among millennials and centennials. Within the framework of these applications, interactive phenomena worth research emerge related to sexual-affectional bonds. This article presents the results of a scoping review of research that establishes relationships between sexual-affectional bonds and the use of digital technologies, published in Spanish in scientific journals in Ibero-America between 2009 and 2019. The search was conducted in the Dialnet, Psyarticles, Redalyc, Scielo, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria to the 579 initial records, a final sample of 23 articles was defined. Findings indicate that research focuses mainly on four topics: 1) the meanings of the use of dating apps; 2) digital phenomena related to sexual‑affectional bonds; 3) sexting; and 4) violence between couples on the Internet. The construction of sexual-affectional bonds through digital technologies makes use of psychosocial phenomena such as online self-presentation, online disinhibition, and asynchronous communication.

Sexual Behaviors and HIV/STI Prevention Strategies Among Sexual Minority Men in Ecuador Who Use Geosocial Networking Apps.

Around the world, geosocial networking apps have become widely popular among sexual minority men (SMM). This research analyzed the sexual behaviors and HIV and STI prevention strategies (HIV/STI testing, HIV/STI inquiry, and HIV/STI disclosure) of an online-recruited sample of 284 SMM living in Ecuador. Sexting and oral sex were the most common sexual behaviors among SMM in the sample. Most participants had low perceptions of HIV and STI risk; 85% reported being tested for HIV and 70% for STIs. Being older predicted higher odds of being tested for either HIV or STIs at least once. Being single also predicted HIV testing. Future interventions in the country should explore apps' utility as intervention tools to spread information about sexual health and HIV prevention strategies, such as condom use and event-driven PrEP. Apps can also facilitate connections to sexual health services, including programs for PrEP initiation and linkage to HIV treatment. They should also focus on promoting sexual harm reduction conversations among potential app-met sexual partners.

Geosocial Networking Apps Use Among Sexual Minority Men in Ecuador: An Exploratory Study.

Geosocial networking applications (GSN apps) have become important socialization contexts for sexual minority men (SMM). Despite their popularity, there is limited research carried out in Latin American countries and no single previous study done in Ecuador. To fill this gap, this exploratory study described and analyzed the relationships between the sociodemographic characteristics of SMM using GSN apps, their sought and fulfilled expectations, profile shared and sought characteristics, and the evaluation of their experiences as users including their perceptions of support, and discrimination. We used an online recruited sample of 303 participants enrolled between November 2019 and January 2020. Most respondents used Grindr and reported spending up to 3 h per day using apps. Most common sought expectations were getting distracted, meeting new friends, and meeting people for sexual encounters. The least met expectation was meeting someone to build a romantic relationship with. When asked about their profiles, participants reported sharing mainly their age, photographs, and sexual role. Participants also prioritized these characteristics when looking at others' profiles. When asked about their experiences, most reported having been discriminated against, weight being the main reason for it. Some participants also indicated having received emotional support from other users. Correlation analyses indicated significant but weak relationships among the variables. Results indicated a positive correlation between time as an active GSN app user and higher experiences of discrimination. Likewise, higher number of used apps related positively with levels of received support. These results provide information that could inform future research in the country and the region regarding GSN apps use among SMM, socialization practices, and modern dating tools.

Dating Applications, Sexual Behaviors, and Attitudes of College Students in Brazil's Legal Amazon.

Although dating applications (apps) have become popular among young adults, there is a dearth of information regarding the sexual health implications among Brazilian college students. This study examined risky sexual behavior and attitudes of dating app users, based on their sex in Brazil's Legal Amazon. Three hundred and fifty-nine students reported their sociodemographic data, dating app use, and sexual behaviors and attitudes through self-administered questionnaires. Bivariate analyses and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post-hoc tests were performed. Dating app use was reported by 238 (66.3%) subjects, most of whom had an encounter and sex with a casual partner. Women frequently requested condom use. Trust in one's partner or having repeated encounters were the main reasons for engaging in risky sexual behavior. Men had a greater number of sexual partners and less protective attitudes. Sexual health awareness by apps was not reported by 97% of women, and most of them were not tested for sexually transmitted infections. A positive attitude toward sexual health was not a predictor of safe sex. Important similarities and differences regarding risky sexual behaviors and attitudes were observed between the sexes, many of which correlated with increased sexual vulnerability during the sexual encounters arranged through the dating apps. This cross-sectional study supports efforts on sexual health promotion and sexual education implementation in the face of growing usage of apps among young adults for sexual matters.

Imagem, corpo e linguagem em usos do aplicativo Grindr / Image, corps et langage dans utilisations de l'application Grindr / Image, cuerpo y lenguaje en usos de la aplicación Grindr / Image, body, and language in the usage of Grindr

Resumo O presente artigo aborda o aplicativo de busca por parceiros entre homens Grindr, em seus aspectos linguísticos e semióticos, enfatizando as produções imagéticas e discursivas de seus usuários, concebidas enquanto performatividades. Foram entrevistados onze homens que utilizam a rede social, com foco em suas composições fotográficas e interações textuais com outros membros do aplicativo, analisadas posteriormente a partir das perspectivas butlerianas e barthesianas sobre a linguagem e sua interface com a imagem. Constatou-se a composição de uma "gramática" produzida no interior do aplicativo, com significação particular de palavras e imagens e direcionamento comercial e midiático. Além disso, técnicas de composição e manipulação de fotografias, modulações do corpo e associação de práticas travadas no aplicativo a uma dimensão política foram abordadas pelos entrevistados. Desta forma, foi possível entender o Grindr como um "sistema de significação", no qual tais dinâmicas são produzidas, negociadas e disputadas no seu próprio uso.

Résumé Le présent travail discute l'application de recontres pour hommes Grindr, dans ses aspects linguistique et sémiotique, en mettant l'accent sur les productions imaginaires et linguistiques de ses utilisateurs, conçues comme des performativités. Onze hommes qui utilisent ce réseau social ont été interviewés, en se concentrant sur leurs compositions photographiques et leurs interactions textuelles avec les autres membres, analysées par la suite dans les cadres des perspectives butlerienne et barthesiennes sur la langue et sa relation avec l'image. On a identifié la composition d'une "grammaire" produite à l'intérieur de l'application, avec une signification particulière des mots et des images, avec ciblage commercial et médiatique. En outre, les interviewés ont abordé les techniques de composition et de manipulation des photographies, les modulations corporelles et l'association de pratiques enfermées dans l'application à une dimension politique. Ainsi, il a été possible de comprendre le Grindr comme un "système de signification" où ces dynamiques sont produites, négociées et contestées dans leur propre usage.

Resumen El presente artículo discute la aplicación de citas entre hombres Grindr, en sus aspectos linguísticos y semióticos, enfatizando las producciones de imágenes y lenguaje de sus usuarios, comprendidas como performatividades. Once hombres usuarios de Grindr fueron entrevistados, con foco en sus composiciones fotográficas y interacciones textuales con otros miembros de la red social, posteriormente analizadas a partir de las perspectivas butlerianas y barthesianas sobre el lenguaje y sus relaciones con la imagen. Se constató la producción de una "gramática" en el interior de la aplicación, con la significación particular de palabras y imágenes com dirección comercial y mediatica. Además, técnicas de composición y manipulación de fotografías, modulaciones del cuerpo y la asociación entre prácticas en la aplicación a cuestiones políticas fueron abordadas por los entrevistados. De esta manera, fue posible comprender Grindr como un "sistema de significación", dónde estas dinámicas son producidas, negociadas y disputadas en sus usos.

Abstract In our study we discuss the gay dating app Grindr, considering its linguistic and semiotic aspects, emphasizing its users' imagery and linguistic productions, conceived as performativities. Eleven users of this social network were interviewed, focusing on their photographic compositions and textual interactions with other members, subsequently analyzed under Butlerian and Barthesian perspectives on language and its relation to image. A "grammar" with particular meanings of words and images with commercial and mediatic target was found out to be used within the application. Furthermore, techniques of photography, body improvement, and associations between practices and political issues were addressed by the interviewees. Therefore, we could understand Grindr as a "meaning system", where such dynamics are produced, negotiated and disputed in its uses.