A groundbreaking study released by researchers at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra reveals that ghosting and gaslighting—two behaviours increasingly prevalent in the digital age—can trigger depression and paranoia, particularly among young adults. The findings highlight not only the mental health risks associated with these relationship practices but also the broader impact of online dating culture on psychological wellbeing (The Independent).
Modern romance in Thailand, as in much of the world, is increasingly mediated by social media and dating applications. The latest research confirms suspicions long held by mental health professionals: the anonymity and ease of cutting contact online (known as ghosting) and manipulating a partner’s reality (gaslighting) are not just emotionally painful but measurably damaging to mental health. The study’s results are particularly relevant as usage of dating apps continues to surge locally, and mental health apps themselves find a growing market among Thais—82% of those surveyed by Rakuten Insight reported continued use of mental wellness apps in 2022 (Statista).
The research surveyed 544 adults aged 18 to 40 in the UK, focusing on the “subtle but damaging” ways individuals experience ghosting—abruptly abandoning contact—and gaslighting, defined in psychology as manipulating someone into doubting their own perception of reality (Wikipedia - Gaslighting (psychology)). While ghosting is most frequently enacted online, especially via dating apps, gaslighting encompasses more severe patterns of manipulation and control, where one partner causes the other to question basic truths about themselves or their environment.
Researchers found both ghosting and coercive control strongly linked to heightened paranoia, while gaslighting was tied to symptoms of depression. Younger individuals and those with lower incomes were at highest risk for poor mental health outcomes—a finding with resonance in Thailand, where social hierarchy and economic mobility are often intertwined with romantic prospects. Professor Rusi Jaspal, a lead researcher, emphasised that “the digital age has provided enormous opportunities for social connections but also comes with some risks. Ghosting, in particular, is almost exclusively enacted in online settings.” He added, “As the use of social media and dating apps grows, so too does the risk of encountering harmful behaviours like ghosting, which our research links to poorer mental health outcomes” (The Independent).
The team controlled for variables including age, income, and personality traits such as rejection sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty—both known contributors to poor mental wellbeing. Significantly, the study authors concluded that these relational injuries are contributing to the current mental health crisis exacerbated by dating app culture (Frontiers in Psychiatry). In a Thai context, these findings align with recent research suggesting high rates of depression and anxiety among local dating app users, compounded by societal pressures and the stigma still associated with seeking psychological help (Thai Journal of Psychiatry).
Ghosting—popularised in the early 2000s as a breakup strategy in romantic relationships—has come to represent a broader avoidance of emotional discomfort, often leaving the recipient with feelings of confusion, rejection, and low self-esteem (Wikipedia - Ghosting). Meanwhile, gaslighting as psychological abuse can have lasting effects, including eroding confidence, breeding self-doubt, and even leading to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress (Wikipedia - Gaslighting (psychology)). According to mental health experts, the passive-aggressive nature of ghosting can be as emotionally injurious as open conflict, especially in a culture where losing face or showing vulnerability remains a concern.
The study calls for “effective psychological interventions” to support victims of such abusive behaviours, recommending therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that build resilience and coping strategies. For Thailand’s youth, who increasingly turn to dating apps for companionship but often lack emotional guidance from family or community—due to the urban migration or rapidly modernising norms—these recommendations are timely. Thai clinicians interviewed by local mental health associations point out that “DTAC culture”—a slang phrase for electrical disconnection, playfully referencing both the telco and ‘disconnecting’ from someone—mirrors the digital-era propensity for ghosting.
Historically, concepts akin to ghosting did exist in traditional Thai society, though face-to-face relationships and strong kinship networks provided informal support and conflict resolution. The contemporary digital twist, however, makes these rejections more sudden, public, and confusing, especially when compounded by pressure to maintain an idealised online persona. In Buddhist-influenced Thai culture, where self-reflection and compassion are valued, the abruptness of digital rejection is doubly jarring.
Looking forward, experts warn that with young people spending more time online searching for relationships, rates of depression and anxiety could rise even further (The Dawn Rehab). Thai stakeholders in education and public health have thus begun to advocate for digital literacy and emotional skills curricula—training young people not just to recognise unhealthy behaviours like ghosting and gaslighting, but also to build the resilience required to withstand such experiences.
Practically, the report suggests that young Thais can take steps to protect their mental health: maintaining offline friendships, seeking support from counsellors or mental health hotlines, and practicing self-compassion and mindfulness in line with local spiritual traditions. Parents and educators are encouraged to open dialogues about digital relationships, emphasizing that emotional wounds are as real and important as physical health. For those affected, seeking help is a sign of strength—and resources like CBT, now increasingly available through mental health apps and community clinics, can be highly effective.
In summary, the latest research adds urgency to calls for integrated digital and emotional education in Thailand, even as dating apps and social networks continue to reshape the landscape of romance. Addressing the psychological fallout from ghosting and gaslighting will require community awareness, professional supports, and renewed attention to traditional Thai wisdom on compassion and emotional balance.