SCOM doctoral candidate Trayana Kaleycheva presented her research at the Lake Como School of Advanced Studies Conference in northern Italy. This year’s theme, “Social Connections and Well-being in the Digital Era,” explored the impacts of digital technologies on human interaction and well-being with a focus on the intersection between technology and social connection.

“It meant a lot to represent FSU at such a selective and prestigious forum that aligns so closely with my research interests. I can say it gave me a real glimpse into what life after my PhD could look like,” Kaleycheva said.

Kaleycheva’s presentation, “Burnout in Online Dating: Choice Overload, Perceived Inefficacy, and Lack of Reciprocity and Their Implications for Feelings of Emotional Exhaustion Among Young Adults,” investigated how the gamified design of dating apps affects users’ psychological and relational states, producing dating app burnout.

“My study focused on the predictors of burnout and how it isn’t just about the apps themselves. It’s about the way technological features and individual experiences interact,” Kaleycheva said.

During her summer in Lake Como, Kaleycheva also collaborated with PhD candidates from Poland, Germany, and Italy on a proposed study examining how rejection on dating apps influences prosocial behavior. After presenting this idea and considering peer feedback, Kaleycheva and her colleagues plan to perform this research in the future.

“Working so closely with colleagues from across Europe was both inspiring and energizing, and I left feeling like we’d planted the seeds for something meaningful together,” Kaleycheva said.

Among all of her insightful takeaways, Kaleycheva emphasized her inclination to promote the Lake Como School of Advanced Studies to other graduate students at FSU, underlining its cultural, intellectual, and professional opportunities.

“The program was more than an academic event; it was a chance to connect with incredible people, exchange ideas, and support each other as we navigate our research journeys. It was not only intellectually stimulating but also personally uplifting, and I will carry that energy with me moving forward,” Kaleycheva said.