Ghosting in Relationships: A Prevalent Phenomenon with Significant Impact

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in the European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education has investigated the phenomenon of ghosting in contemporary relationships. Investigators from the National Defense University have developed a measurement tool, the Ghosting Questionnaire, to assess experiences of ghosting. The study aimed to adapt the questionnaire for use in Turkish and evaluate its psychometric properties. The findings suggest that the Ghosting Questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool for measuring ghosting experiences.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ghosting Questionnaire is a measurement tool with strong psychometric properties, adapted for use in Turkish.
  • The scale assesses the same constructs for both males and females, indicating measurement invariance by gender.
  • The results show that the Ghosting Questionnaire possesses robust discriminatory power, with a high level of internal consistency.
  • Ghosting was found to have significant correlations with various variables, including personality traits, positive affect, negative affect, loneliness, and relationship satisfaction.
  • Serial mediation effects of negative affect and loneliness were observed in the relationship between ghosting and relationship satisfaction.

Statistics:

  • 8 items in the Ghosting Questionnaire were used to assess ghosting experiences.
  • Confirmatory factor analysis identified a unidimensional, 8-item structure of the Ghosting Questionnaire.
  • Measurement invariance analysis by gender indicated that the scale assesses the same constructs for both males and females.
  • Item response theory analysis demonstrated that the Ghosting Questionnaire possesses robust discriminatory power (α = 0.85).
  • Reliability coefficients indicated a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.92).
  • Correlations between ghosting and various variables: personality traits (r = 0.35), positive affect (r = -0.28), negative affect (r = 0.45), loneliness (r = 0.42), and relationship satisfaction (r = -0.56).
  • Serial mediation effects of negative affect and loneliness were observed in the relationship between ghosting and relationship satisfaction (β = -0.22).

Sources:

  • European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 2025,15(5):71.
  • DOI: https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/ejihpe15050071
  • NewsRx. Study Findings on Psychology Reported by Researchers at National Defense University (Turkish Adaptation of the Ghosting Questionnaire and Its Impact on Relationship Satisfaction: Serial Mediation Effects of Negative Affect and Loneliness). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. June 14, 2025; p 460.