From Close to Ghost

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

Bibliographic Data

ID2929534
AuthorsChristina M Leckfor (0000-0002-7119-4047, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, corresponding author), Natasha R Wood (0000-0002-8390-7112, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA), Richard B Slatcher (0000-0001-6392-4161, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA), Andrew H Hales (0000-0001-8045-5475, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA)
Year2023
Volume40
Issue8
Pages2422-2444
Publication date2023-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/02654075221149955
OpenAlexW4313621236
LanguageEN
Citations received19
References cited59

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

Ambiguity · Closure (psychology · Ghosting · Ostracism · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Media Influence and Health · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access