Journal of Applied Psychological Research

Ghosting in Adolescent Friendships: A Phenomenological Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the use of ghosting in adolescent friendships. To acquire a profound comprehension of the participants' viewpoints, this investigation implemented a qualitative phenomenological methodology. During the 2023-2024 academic year, the population of this study was comprised of all female pupils aged 16-18 residing in Tehran. In the end, a purposive sample of 20 adolescent females was chosen, taking into account the principle of saturation. Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data. The data was analyzed using Colasis’s seven-step method, and the results were categorized into two main concepts (psychological-emotional factors and cognitive-functional factors), four sub-concepts (poor communication skills, needs, fears and concerns, and dysfunctional beliefs), and seventeen primary concepts. Based on findings, it can be inferred that adolescents typically employ ghosting as a method of terminating a relationship in order to address their personality deficiencies and to mitigate the negative repercussions of relationship termination. Based on the research finding, it is recommended that mental health professionals, particularly school counselors, employ these results to develop and implement programs aimed at reducing the use of ghosting as a relationship termination strategy. The objective of this intervention is to enhance the mental health and social relationships of adolescents.

Keywords

بشارت، م. (۱۳۹۵). ساخت و درستی‌آزمایی مقیاس استحکام من: یک مطالعۀ مقدماتی. علوم روانشناختی، 15(60)، ۴67-۴45.‎ http://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.17357462.1395.15.60.2.0
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Journal of Applied Psychological Research

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 02 October 2025
  • Receive Date: 04 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 15 January 2025
  • Accept Date: 02 February 2025
  • First Publish Date: 19 February 2025
  • Publish Date: 02 October 2025