A new study has revealed that increasingly common dating behaviours like ghosting, gaslighting, and coercive control are significantly linked to symptoms of depression and paranoia – particularly among younger adults. Conducted by researchers from the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra in Portugal, the study is among the first to examine the real-world psychological toll of these modern relational dynamics.
Surveying 544 adults aged 18 to 40 in the UK, the study found that experiences like abruptly cutting off contact (ghosting), emotional manipulation that makes someone question their reality (gaslighting), or attempts to control a partner’s choices and routines (coercive control) were strongly associated with poor mental health outcomes. The most affected groups were younger adults and those with lower incomes, suggesting that modern dating culture may be quietly fuelling a mental health crisis.
Online Love, Offline Damage
According to Professor Rusi Jaspal, co-author and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Brighton, while digital platforms have created new ways to connect, they have also introduced new risks. “Ghosting,” he noted, “is almost exclusively enacted in online settings,” and its growing prevalence is now linked to poorer mental health outcomes. He emphasised that younger adults appear particularly vulnerable and called for more tailored support, especially as digital landscapes continue to evolve.
Dr Barbara Lopes, co-author and clinical psychologist at the University of Coimbra, agreed that these behaviours are far from harmless. She explained that ghosting, gaslighting and coercion are common in relationships but not well understood in terms of their psychological impact. Her clinical concern lay in the connection between these behaviours and paranoia – defined as “beliefs of intentional harm from others, difficulties in relationships, and a lack of trust.” The study, she said, found that ghosting and coercion were both linked to heightened paranoid thinking, underlining the need for preventive mental health interventions.
Younger Adults Most at Risk
The research, titled ‘Exposure to Ghosting, Gaslighting and Coercion and Mental Health Outcomes’, found that younger adults were both more likely to experience ghosting, gaslighting, and coercive behaviours, and more vulnerable to their emotional effects. Digital communication platforms may play a role in amplifying these risks. Instant messaging and dating apps allow relationships to form – and disappear – with minimal accountability or emotional processing.
Economic insecurity also appears to increase susceptibility. Participants with lower incomes reported higher levels of distress linked to these behaviours, suggesting that financial strain may reduce access to psychological support or worsen emotional resilience.
The research also explored differences based on sexuality and religious background, aiming to identify which communities may require more tailored interventions. While those results were less conclusive, the clear takeaway was that younger, lower-income individuals face the most significant mental health challenges as a result of these relational dynamics.
Need for Relationship Education and Mental Health Support
The authors argue that more needs to be done to support individuals affected by harmful dating behaviours – especially as they often fall outside traditional definitions of abuse or trauma. The researchers call for greater public awareness, as well as increased access to interventions like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which can help individuals rebuild trust in themselves and others.
Importantly, the study found that even after controlling for factors like age, income, and personality traits, these dating experiences still predicted poorer mental health. This suggests that their impact isn’t merely the result of individual sensitivity – but a broader social issue that needs collective attention.
As the study authors put it, emotional harm doesn’t always leave visible wounds – but that doesn’t make it any less real. In the digital era, where modern relationships often begin and end behind a screen, the need to understand and protect mental health in the digital age has never been more urgent.
Featured image: Online dating behaviours can have a negative effect on mental health. Source: Halfpoint / Adobe Stock.
