The phantom pain of ghosting: Multi-Day experiments comparing the reactions to ghosting and rejection

Research on how individuals respond to ghosting, defined as unilaterally ending a relationship without providing explanations and ignoring communication attempts, has primarily relied on retrospective and imaginative methodologies. The present research introduced a novel multi-day daily diary experimental paradigm to examine the psychological consequences of ghosting compared to rejection. In Study 1, participants (N = 46) engaged in 15-min daily chat interactions with a confederate on predetermined topics over six days. On the fourth day, the confederate either stopped responding (ghosting), explicitly communicated the intention to end the interaction (rejection), or continued the conversation (control). Mixed-model analyses revealed that ghosting and rejection impacted similar constructs, including emotions, basic psychological needs, perception of the other, and behavioral intentions, but in distinct ways. Trend analysis indicated that ghosting elicited a slower and more prolonged negative response. Study 2 (N = 90) extended the design over nine days and included confederates of the same or opposite gender. Findings essentially replicated those of Study 1. While gender did not emerge as a meaningful factor, the differential reactions to ghosting and rejection persisted. These findings suggest that while both experiences are distressing, ghosting has more enduring adverse effects. We argue that the uncertainty and lack of closure associated with ghosting appear to hinder coping, prolonging psychological distress. This work seeks to advance our understanding of the similarities and specificities between ghosting and other forms of relationship dissolution.