Ghosting, eine häufige Form der Ablehnung im digitalen Zeitalter, kann dazu führen, dass sich Einzelpersonen verlassen und verwirrt fühlen | Neue Forschungsergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Auswirkungen möglicherweise noch tiefgreifender sind und Geisterbilder und Stress mit schlecht angepassten Tagträumen und verletzlichem Narzissmus in Verbindung bringen.
Ghosting and stress emerge as predictors of maladaptive daydreaming and narcissism
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From the article: Ghosting, a common form of rejection in the digital era, can leave individuals feeling abandoned and confused. New research suggests that the effects may be even deeper, linking ghosting and stress to maladaptive daydreaming and vulnerable narcissism. The study was [published](https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2025-23945-001?doi=1) in the journal Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice.
Ghosting refers to the sudden and unexplained cessation of communication in a relationship. This behavior can occur in romantic, platonic, or professional contexts and often leaves the ghosted individual feeling confused, rejected, and abandoned. The lack of closure associated with ghosting can lead to rumination and self-doubt, as individuals struggle to understand why the relationship ended.
Previous studies suggest that ghosting can diminish self-esteem, create feelings of isolation, and even trigger symptoms of trauma. These effects are particularly relevant in young adults, who often rely heavily on digital communication for social interactions and are navigating significant emotional and developmental challenges.
I’ll admit, I’ve been ghosted by a few women the last few years on dating apps. You do grow thicker skin eventually but man it still hurts when you thought you’ve made a genuine connection with someone and they don’t even have the decency to explain why they rather not continue.
I wonder how we dealt with it before the internet? Because what is now called “ghosting” was called “loosing track of each other” 30+ years ago. I think it’s probably the much larger number of people we are in contact with thanks to social media, which makes it feel worse.
Manners need to be balanced against self care. Toxic people do not deserve to get endless attention and explanations. Sometimes ghosting people is warranted.
Sure, it sucks, but you really just have to move on. Most complaints about ghosting are from people who haven’t even met yet, or have had a date or two at most. There should be a lesson you learn quite quickly in there. Namely, over investing in someone too early is unhealthy behavior.
I’ve been ghosted by several women over the last few years, and this is after we’ve gone out on a few dates. It’s gotten to the point where I don’t want to date anymore. I’ve developed some really bad self-esteem issues. Recently, a woman that ghosted me reached out to me 4 months later to apologize. It really didn’t make me feel better. I think she did it for her own conscious because she disappeared again.
I will never forget how I felt the first time I was ghosted. It is far worse than just being told not interested when trying to date women when I was younger. A no or not interested meant I could move on the next prospect but ghosting left me hanging – especially after they said we had a great date or whatever. As I got older I just moved on without much concern why someone ghosted me.
My suspicion is ghosting feels like the safer option because there is a chance the other person will go apeshit and hit you with several unhinged walls of text, or similarly crazy things.
I’d be willing to bet most people who have tried online dating have run into this, to varying degrees, at least once.
Why does it even matter what way you get rejected? The person ghosting is clearly not interested. What do people want? Sometimes you give an explanation and people just don’t listen en keep texting. Don’t be so fragile. Being emotionally damaged by this, so weird.
I don’t believe in ghosts