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Ms. Wion is PhD Student, and Dr. Loeb is Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of PhD Program, College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.
The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Approximately 30 years of research has shown that older adults maintain interest in intimate partner relationships well into old age. Some older adults seek such relationships through the process of dating ( Brown & Shinohara, 2013 ; Bulcroft & Bulcroft, 1991 ; Bulcroft & O'Connor, 1986 ; Carr, 2004 ; Dickson, Hughes, & Walker, 2005 ). Dating is important for older adults, but also opens them up to risks associated with forging new relationships, especially if dates are with an individual who is previously unknown. A recent study using a U.S. representative sample found that 14% of unmarried adults ages 57 to 85 were in dating relationships ( Brown & Shinohara, 2013 )-a statistic that is likely to grow due to factors such as divorce and greater life expectancy. Older adults have many reasons for seeking a new relationship, including companionship ( Bulcroft & O'Connor, 1986 ; Dickson et al., 2005 ), emotional support ( Bulcroft & O'Connor, 1986 ; Carr, 2004 ), prestige, a desire to share their life ( Bulcroft & O'Connor, 1986 ), and sexual intimacy ( Bulcroft & O'Connor, 1986 ; Dickson et al., 2005 ). Older men may date in pursuit of the stability and domestic help that comes with being married, whereas older women may be more disinclined to pursue marriage at least in part due to the caregiving role that often comes with having a spouse ( McIntosh, Locker, Briley, Ryan, & Scott, 2011 ).
Some older adults seek relationships via less traditional venues, such as online dating. Online dating websites for older adults designate the age of users as being 50 and older. Online dating affords greater opportunity for individuals in living arrangements that offer less chance for impromptu socializing (e.g., independent dwellings, rural areas) ( Bulcroft & Bulcroft, 1991 ) and for women who encounter a smaller dating pool in their day-to-day lives ( Dickson et al., 2005 ). The Internet has provided older adults with the chance to connect with others regardless of geographic location (...