Abstract
This study took on a qualitative approach with a multiple case study
design. The researchers gathered and analyzed data on the psychological
issues of the victims after being ghosted which requires deeper
knowledge about the event. Multiple case study was the best fit to
fulfill this research because the design will serve as an avenue to
capture different profiles of victims and perspectives of the
experiences of the victims after being ghosted in a romantic
relationship to explain the mental and emotional struggles,
psychological issues, and coping strategies of victims.
Examining the narratives of the five (5) young adult victims of ghosting
through Thematic Analysis, it was found that these narratives encompass
the three themes that emerged in the study, namely The Masala Effect,
The Matcha Effect, and The Lapsang Effect, which illustrate the issues
faced by the victims in their ghosting experiences. These themes serve
as the guidelines that will promote societal awareness and further
understanding of the actual gravity of the phenomenon with studies
conducted by Freedman et al. (2022) and Pancani et al. (2022) confirming
that victims of ghosting experienced more of a threat to their
fundamental psychological needs, and with Holmes (2022) acknowledging
the boom of technology generated new human experiences like being
ghosted makes the end of a romantic relationship even more difficult,
stressing that it is important to seek understanding of this phenomenon
sooner than later to understand the future of romantic relationships and
society at a whole.. This paper also supplements past studies which
failed to focus on the emotional and psychological impact of ghosting on
its victims. The findings of this study also provided an eye-opener for
the general public that ghosting exists and compromises the emotional
and psychological stability of the victims in the aftermath of being
ghosted. With increased understanding of this phenomenon, individuals,
mental health professionals, and organizations can help recognize and
address the issue more effectively. This research on the psychological
issues faced by victims of ghosting can promote prevention efforts by
increasing awareness of the issue and its potential negative impacts.
This could lead to increased efforts to prevent ghosting, both at the
individual level (e.g., through education and communication about
healthy relationship communication) and at the organizational level
(e.g., through policies and practices that discourage ghosting in the
workplace). Along with that, this research supplements the need for data
in the Southeast Asian context of dating culture, specifically in the
Philippines.