Ever Been Ghosted in a Relationship? Island University Expert Examines Why it Happens

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Forget ghost stories around a campfire, there’s nothing scarier than being ditched online. In an age where digital communication is king, the act of being “ghosted” — when someone suddenly cuts off all communication without explanation — has become an all-too-common experience that can have real emotional consequences. Dr. Darcey N. Powell, Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, has recently published a review which shines a light on the digital disappearing and how it affects both the “ghostee” as well as the “ghoster.”

“The act of ghosting is not a new phenomenon,” Powell said. “Correspondence has gone unanswered by one party with the intention of dissolving the relationship since letters were delivered on horseback!”

Powell and her research partner, Dr. Gili Freedman, Associate Professor of Social Psychology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, summarize a wealth of new research into why people ghost, the emotional toll it takes on both sides, and what it says about communication in the age of dating apps and social media. The paper, titled “Ghosting: A Common but Unpopular Rejection Strategy” and published online by Wiley’s “Social and Personality Psychology Compass,” examined the psychological and social factors that make ghosting so common — and so painful.

“My research agenda focuses on transitions in close relationships — specifically, parenting and romantic relationships,” Powell said. “Between my interest in transitions and my co-author’s interest in rejection, break-ups seemed like a great fit for us to work together. At that time, ghosting was a term starting to appear in popular culture, but there was almost no research on the topic. Since then, there’s been a surge in research into ghosting. We thought it was worthwhile to write a review article summarizing the main themes and findings.”

Josh Berry ’26, a junior transfer student majoring in psychology, is working in Powell’s research lab, and assisting with an ongoing ghosting project.

“Coming here, I was afraid my professors wouldn’t have the time to invest in me, but Dr. Powell quickly calmed those fears,” Berry said. “She’s taken the time and effort to put together an exciting amount of research and projects this semester. It’s a privilege to work with her.”

Recent studies have uncovered surprising insights into the phenomenon of ghosting, revealing that the practice of ending relationships without communication has existed for as long as personal relationships themselves. However, the rise of digital communication has brought increased attention to the trend. Researchers found that many individuals who choose to ghost do so because they perceive it as the easiest option or to avoid confrontation or potentially dangerous situations.

“It’s something a lot of young adults do, but at the same time many would say it is not the mature or kind way to dissolve a relationship,” Berry said. “I want to know the root cause of our choices so we can find ways to make better ones.”

This review also highlights that ghosting is not limited to romantic relationships — many platonic friendships also end without a word. These studies come at a time when digital communication is at an all-time high, with millions relying on apps and online platforms to connect. The cultural phenomenon of ghosting has sparked debates, memes, and even viral social media videos — but now, it’s backed by science.

“So many of today’s conversations happen digitally and most people are communicating with several other individuals simultaneously,” Powell said. “Despite having multiple ongoing conversations, we often expect a quick response, and in some cases, we can see if the person has read our message and has not responded. Also, technology has led to the creation of dating apps, where ghosting is especially prevalent.”

Powell joined the Island University in fall 2024 and is credentialed to teach courses such as general, developmental, and experimental psychology. She is also a Certified Family Life Educator and has a secondary research interest related to supporting the professional development of faculty.