Online Fairytales: Breadcrumbing and Ghosting Behavior Among Young Adults

The present study investigated the predictors of ghosting and breadcrumbing, two specific online interpersonal behaviors among young adults. The sample comprised 578 participants aged 18–27 (M = 20.39, SD = 2.02, 72% females). Participants completed a web-based survey measuring ghosting and breadcrumbing experiences (both as agents and receivers), moral disengagement, toxic disinhibition, psychological distress, and rejection sensitivity. We ran the analyses in the overall sample and depending on participants’ relationship status (i.e. involved or not in a romantic relationship). In the overall sample, the strongest predictor for ghosting behavior was ghosting experiences (i.e. being ghosted). Breadcrumbing behavior was predicted by breadcrumbing experiences, moral disengagement, toxic disinhibition, and psychological distress. Ghosting experiences and psychological distress predicted ghosting behavior. Toxic disinhibition significantly predicted breadcrumbing but not ghosting behaviors. Rejection sensitivity did not significantly predict breadcrumbing and ghosting behaviors. Results followed a similar pattern when analyses were conducted depending on participants’ relationship status. However, toxic disinhibition positively predicted ghosting in the sample of participants who were not romantically involved.