Date of Award

6-11-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Tracy DeHart

Second Advisor

Byron Brooks

Abstract

This study examined the potential of a self-compassion mindstate intervention on queer men’s virtual partner selection behaviors to encourage resilience in offset to previous unfavorable experiences. This study also explored how partner-seeking contexts (short-term, “hook-up”, and long-term, romantic) influence judgement. Participants were randomly assigned to a self-compassionate mindstate induction or a control group. Afterward, using a within-subjects, repeated measures approach, participants evaluated faux profiles within both partner-seeking contexts on a series of measures (“Attractiveness” ratings, “Confidence of Pursuit” ratings, and “Yes” swipes). The initial hypotheses were unsupported. When including identity-relevant covariates in the model, I found main effects of education and of self-compassion belief strength. Further, I found an interaction between those likely to experience racial discrimination and the self-compassion mindstate manipulation. These findings emphasize the importance of exploring partner selection within the context of user identity. Particularly, experiences of identity-based discrimination that may compound with other forms of minority stress, and formative experiences that influence partner pursuit, like education. The self-compassion belief strength outcome, and the interaction of racial discrimination likelihood with the self-compassion manipulation, arise key considerations as to factors that may influence the efficacy of the self-compassionate mindstate, and its expected manifestations in participant behaviors.

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