Health · Mental Health · 17 hrs ago
People who ghost others may feel more guilt than those they ignore expect
Researchers from the universities of California and Cambridge studied ghosting in three studies involving real experiences, imagined situations and live online interactions.
Ghosting means suddenly stopping contact without an explanation, often by ignoring messages or calls.
The studies found that people who were ghosted often assumed the other person did not care or had moved on.
But many people who ghosted reported guilt, embarrassment and remorse about their silence.
The gap in understanding was especially strong when someone had stopped replying unintentionally, such as after forgetting or delaying a response.
A brief message explaining the silence helped reduce misunderstanding between the two people.
The findings suggest ghosting can cause distress on both sides, and a short explanation may help limit it.
People who are ghosted may underestimate how guilty, embarrassed and remorseful the person who stopped replying feels.
Researchers found this pattern across three studies involving real-life experiences, imagined scenarios and live online interactions.
Many ghosters said they felt bad about their behaviour, while ghostees often assumed they did not care or had moved on.
The mismatch was especially pronounced when the silence was unintentional, such as when someone forgot to reply or became distracted.
The researchers also found that a brief message explaining the silence could reduce the emotional misunderstanding.
- Who
- Researchers from the universities of California and Cambridge studied people who ghost and people who are ghosted.
- What
- The studies found that people who are ghosted often underestimate the guilt, embarrassment and remorse felt by those who stop replying.
- When
- The study was published on 15 October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- The researchers examined how people experience ghosting and how each side understands the other’s feelings.
People who are ghosted
People who ghost
How the silence is interpreted
People who are ghosted
They often assume the person who cut contact does not care or has moved on.
People who ghost
Many report feeling guilty, embarrassed or remorseful about the silence.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Studies
- Three
- Researchers' institutions
- Universities of California and Cambridge
- Journal
- Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
- Publication date
- 15 October 2026
- Single Brits ghosted in dating contexts
- Up to 80 per cent
- People ghosted by friends or family
- Two in five
What people are saying
Across three studies, we find that people who are ghosted underestimate how bad their conversation partners feel about ghosting them.
Overall, this research provides a window into the overlooked pain of ghosting others.