A new academic study has found that younger adults are particularly vulnerable to the mental health impacts of modern dating behaviours such as ghosting and gaslighting.
The joint research, carried out by the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra in Portugal, is among the first to systematically assess the psychological toll these relationship dynamics have on individuals aged between 18 and 40.
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Surveying 544 adults across the UK, the study identified strong correlations between harmful online dating behaviours and mental health issues including depression and paranoia. Specifically, ghosting and coercive control were linked to heightened feelings of paranoia, while gaslighting showed a clear association with depressive symptoms.
These associations held true even when researchers accounted for variables such as income level, age, and personality traits like rejection sensitivity or intolerance of uncertainty. The study also examined why individuals might engage in these behaviours. Ghosting, for instance, was often used as a means of avoiding confrontation or for perceived self-preservation.
Demographically, younger individuals and those from lower income brackets appeared to be disproportionately affected by the psychological consequences of these behaviours.
Professor Rusi Jaspal, co-author and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange) at the University of Brighton, commented:
“The digital age offers remarkable opportunities for human connection, but it also introduces significant risks. Ghosting, for example, is largely a product of the online world.
“As social media and dating apps continue to grow in popularity, so too does the likelihood of encountering behaviours that may adversely affect mental health. At the University of Brighton, we’re committed to researching and responding to these challenges faced by diverse communities in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.”
Dr Barbara Lopes, co-author and clinical psychologist from the University of Coimbra’s Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention, added:
“Ghosting, gaslighting, and coercive control are far more common than we might like to admit, yet their mental health implications remain poorly understood.
“As a clinician, I wanted to explore how exposure to these behaviours contributes to paranoia – particularly feelings of mistrust, perceptions of deliberate harm, and relational difficulties. Our findings highlight how damaging these behaviours can be to emotional wellbeing.”
The research team stressed the importance of raising awareness about these modern relational harms and of ensuring psychological support is accessible for those impacted. They suggested interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as potentially effective tools for helping individuals build resilience and improve their self-worth and coping mechanisms following such experiences.
The study underscores the reality that emotional distress from romantic relationships doesn’t always stem from physical violence. Instead, subtle yet persistent behaviours like ghosting or manipulation can have significant psychological consequences.
The findings were published under the title “Exposure to Ghosting, Gaslighting and Coercion and Mental Health Outcomes”, co-led by Professor Jaspal and Dr Lopes. The research reflects the University of Brighton’s commitment to tackling the complex mental health issues of contemporary life through rigorous, socially conscious investigation.
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By shedding light on the emotional cost of common dating behaviours, the study adds to a growing body of evidence advocating for modernised relationship education and mental health support services – ones that recognise the nuanced challenges posed by today’s digital relationships.
