The more one has ghosted, the more they have been ghosted themselves, with the reverse also being true that the more one has ghosted, the more they ghost others

To Ghost or To Be Ghosted: An Examination of the Social and Psychological Correlates Associated with Ghosting. Jacqueline M. Di Santo et al. EvoS Journal, Nov 2022. https://evostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Di-Santo-et-al.-2022-Vol12Iss1.pdf

Abstract: This paper examines the modern phenomenon known as “ghosting,” which can be defined as avoiding another individual (such as a family member, friend, or partner) by suddenly cutting off communication without providing an explanation. From an evolutionary perspective, given that our ancestors lived in small-scale societies, cutting ties with others would have had devastating consequences. To address variables connected with this kind of outcome, we conducted a study with 292 participants (M age = 21.45, SD = 4.19; 26% male, 72.6% female, .3% not listed, 1% preferred not to say). Significant correlations were found between scales measuring particular psychological constructs (e.g., adult attachment, sociosexuality) and ghosting experiences. A regression analysis found that specific constructs independently predicted ghosting experiences. A notable finding was that the more one has ghosted, the more they have been ghosted themselves, with the reverse also being true that the more one has ghosted, the more they ghost others. Overall, in examining the social and psychological correlates associated with ghosting, our findings suggest that those who had been ghosted and those who had ghosted others had a proclivity toward relatively difficult social, emotional, and psychological functioning compared to those with fewer ghosting experiences.

Keywords: Dark Triad, Light Triad, Ghosting, Estrangement, Big Five, Adult Attachment, Sociosexuality