From Close to Ghost: Examining the Relationship Between the Need for Closure, Intentions to Ghost, and Reactions to Being Ghosted

Abstract

Ghosting—the act of ending a relationship by ceasing communication without explanation—is a type of ostracism that threatens a person’s basic psychological needs for belonging, self-esteem, meaningful existence, and control. The experience of ghosting creates uncertainty within the relationship and may vary based on individual differences in the need for closure, which is the desire to avoid ambiguity. Across three preregistered studies with emerging adults, we predicted that a greater need for closure would be associated with lower intentions to use ghosting (Studies 1 and 2) and lower needs satisfaction after being ghosted (Study 3). Results from Study 1 ( N = 553) and Study 2 ( N = 411) were inconsistent, but together indicate that a higher need for closure is not negatively associated—and may be positively associated—with ghosting intentions. In Study 3 ( N = 545), participants who recalled a time when they were ghosted reported lower needs satisfaction than included and directly rejected participants. Further, a higher need for closure was associated with lower needs satisfaction after being ghosted and after being directly rejected, but with greater needs satisfaction after being included. Overall, these findings suggest that the need for closure is less influential when deciding how to end a relationship, but it appears to play an important role in amplifying both positive and negative experiences within a relationship.

The Translation and Preliminary Psychometric Validation of the Ghosting Questionnaire in Urdu

“…According to new research based on interviews with ghosters and ghostees [ 5 , 6 ], ghosting can also occur in platonic friendships. This contradicts earlier claims of researchers such as LeFebvre and Koessler [ 7 , 8 ], who restricted the term to romantic relationships.…”

“…According to attachment theory, an infant’s early inability to bond with parental figures lies at the root of attachment avoidance in adulthood; ghosting can be understood in this context [ 18 ]. Avoidance of potentially stressful situations is considered to be a mechanism of defense that serves to shore up a fragile self-image [ 8 ].…”

When silence speaks louder than words: Exploring the experiences and attitudes of ghosters

“…Di Santo et al (2022) found that both sociosexual orientation and extraversion were positively associated with ghosting others. Finally, Leckfor et al (2023) found that in contrast to their expectations, the need for closure did not predict a lower intent to ghost, but instead showed a small positive correlation.…”

RESEARCH BRIEF: Ghosting in the realm of research: The realities of conducting social science research in the digital age

“…The piece outlines the impact of "ghosting" at all stages of the research process and what this means for the state of research overall as we move into the future. Ghosting is ending a relationship by stopping communication without explanation (Leckfor et al, 2023). Research has shown that the act of ghosting can have a negative psychological impact on the receiver of ghosting, including a hit to one's self-image and sense of belonging (Leckfor et al, 2023;Navarro et al, 2020).…”

“…Ghosting is ending a relationship by stopping communication without explanation (Leckfor et al, 2023). Research has shown that the act of ghosting can have a negative psychological impact on the receiver of ghosting, including a hit to one's self-image and sense of belonging (Leckfor et al, 2023;Navarro et al, 2020). While we often refer to ghosting when it comes to more informal social relationships (e.g., dating, friendships), this type of behavior not only exists but has become amplified in the research world.…”