Development and validation of a questionnaire (GHOST) to assess sudden, unexplained communication exclusion or “ghosting"

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

“…Ghosting is a form of avoiding a person with whom one was corresponding by abruptly (or gradually) ending all communication with no explanation [ 2 , 3 ]. Common examples of ghosting include “unfriending” or “unmatching” on social media or failing to respond to phone calls, emails, or text messages [ 1 , 4 ]. According to new research based on interviews with ghosters and ghostees [ 5 , 6 ], ghosting can also occur in platonic friendships.…”

“…These individuals have little empathy for the people they hurt; instead, they are driven by the need to avoid distress for themselves [ 3 ]. Individuals with narcissistic personalities prefer to avoid confrontations where they may be accused of being disloyal or self-serving [ 4 ]. Machiavellians, who exhibit traits such as dishonesty and duplicity, may engage in multiple relationships simultaneously, and, after a time, drop those of lesser significance [ 1 , 3 , 17 ].…”

Ghosting: Abandonment in the Digital Era

“…Ghosting is characterized by the sudden and unexpected termination of all forms of communication without a clear explanation or advanced discussion. This can happen either suddenly or gradually [1,3,4]. It usually involves the act of "unfriending" or "unmatching" a person on social media [1,3], but it can be done through nonresponse to phone calls, emails, or text messages [4].…”

“…This can happen either suddenly or gradually [1,3,4]. It usually involves the act of "unfriending" or "unmatching" a person on social media [1,3], but it can be done through nonresponse to phone calls, emails, or text messages [4]. LeFebvre and colleagues, as well as Koessler and colleagues, argued that ghosting is limited to romantic relationships [5,6].…”

“…The advent of the telegraph and telephone subsequently permitted communication during physical separations, thus maintaining relationships over a distance but reducing closeness [11]. Radio and television centralized one-way intimate broadcasts into homes, creating fantasy relationships that, at times, felt real [4]. Internet forums, emailing, and text messaging allowed fast, low-cost, asynchronous connections between people over a geographical distance, spurring a form of disembodied intimacy among relative strangers [5].…”