Individual, interpersonal and relationship factors associated with ghosting intention and behaviors in adult relationships: Examining the associations over and above being a recipient of ghosting

摘要

Ghosting is a relationship dissolution strategy in which the ghoster elects to cease all forms of communication with their partner without explanation. The partner tends to be unaware that they are being ghosted. As a result, the ghosted partner is left to manage and understand what lack of his/her partner's communication means. The present study was designed to explore if people who are ghosted are more likely to ghost others by analyzing to what extent ghosting initiation is correlated with ghosting victimization, and by also examining to what extent intentions to ghost are related to ghosting behaviors (both being ghosted and being a ghoster). It also examined the relations between ghosting initiation behavior and intention and individual, interpersonal and relationship factors, such as self-esteem, sense of power, moral disengagement, assertiveness, empathy concern and conflict resolution styles. Data were collected from 626 adults (mean age = 29.64 years; SD = 8.84) using online surveys. This study confirmed a close connection between ghosting initiation and ghosting victimization, and a moderate one between ghosting initiation and intentions to ghost. However, the majority of the examined factors did not correlate with ghosting behavior and intention, or displayed weak relations. The present findings suggest that ghosting is an emerging phenomenon in modern communication that warrants further investigation.