Foreign Literature

According to Navarro, R., Larrañaga, E., Yubero, S., et al (2020), “Ghosting” originates from the
noun “ghost”. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, ghosting means “a way of ending a relationship
with someone suddenly by stopping all communication with them”. Also, to "ghost" is to cut a romantic
partner out of one's life, ignoring all attempts at contact, and leaving the ghosted to figure out they've
been kicked to the curb. Breakups are rarely easy, but ghosting-which denies the opportunity for
discussion and closure-can be a confusing as well as a painful blow. (Burris R., 2018)

As for Vilhauer, J. (2015), ghosting, for those of you who haven’t yet experienced it, is having
someone that you believe cares about you, whether it be a friend or someone you are dating, disappear
from contact without any explanation at all. No phone call or email, not even a text. In addition,
ghosting is by no means limited to long-term romantic relationships. Informal dating relationships,
friendships, even work relationships may end with a form of ghosting. (Mcquillan S., 2020)

Also, ghosting isn’t new—people have long engaged in disappearing acts—but years ago this
kind of behavior was considered limited to a certain type of scoundrel. In today’s dating culture being
ghosted is a phenomenon that approximately 50 percent of men and women have experienced—and an
almost equal number have done the ghosting. Despite how common ghosting is, the emotional effects
can be devastating, and particularly damaging to those who already have fragile self-esteem. (Villahuer,
J., 2015)

Additionally, Villahuer, J., 2015) says that for many people, ghosting can result in feelings of
being disrespected, used and disposable. If you have known the person beyond more than a few dates
then it can be even more traumatic. When someone we love and trust disengages from us it feels like a
very deep betrayal. Social rejection activates the same pain pathways in the brain as physical pain. And
ghosting is a passive-aggressive interpersonal tactic that can leave psychological bruises and scars.
Reference:

McQuillan, S., MS. RDN. (2020, February 01). Ghosting: What It Is, Why It Hurts, and What
You Can Do About It. Retrieved September 09, 2020, from https://www.psycom.net/what-
is-ghosting

Vilhauer, J. (2015, November 27). Why Ghosting Hurts So Much. Retrieved September 09,
2020, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-forward/201511/why-
ghosting-hurts-so-much

Navarro, R., Larrañaga, E., Yubero, S., & Víllora, B. (2020). Psychological Correlates of
Ghosting and Breadcrumbing Experiences: A Preliminary Study among Adults.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(3), 1116.
doi:10.3390/ijerph17031116

Seidman, G. (2018, March 08). What Do We Know About Ghosting? Retrieved September 09,
2020, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/close-encounters/201803/what-do-
we-know-about-ghosting?
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