A CORRELATIONAL STUDY BETWEEN DASS SCALES AND ATTACHMENT STYLES IN GHOSTED INDIAN ADULTS

Abstract

The present study aims to study the relationship between ghosting, depression, anxiety, stress, and attachment styles among Indian adults aged 20 years to 45 years. Ghosting refers to ‘the practice of ending a relationship by suddenly ceasing all communication, without explaining’. It is no longer just restricted to romantic relationships but occurs in almost all forms of relationships including family, friendships, and professional connections. A correlational research design is used and data is collected via survey. Non-probability sampling methods with Purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were used. From the statistical data analysis using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, it is concluded that -Ghosting and Stress, Anxiety & Depression are positively correlated, Ghosting and Attachment Styles of Close and depend are positively correlated, and Ghosting and Attachment Styles of Anxiety are negatively correlated. Using one-way ANOVA, it was found that a significant difference exists among the four groups of attachment style (Viz, Secure, Preoccupied, Dismiss Fearful) on the ghosting questionnaire. when attachment styles are categorized into healthy (Secure) and unhealthy types (preoccupied, fearful, and dismiss), using the 't' test, a difference was noted in ghosting scores but it is not significant at p < .05, p < .01 level of significance. The high amount of Ghosting does affect an individual’s mental health negatively; it may lead to negative changes in the personality of an individual. Findings from this kind of research study can later have predictive value or help design intervention measures. Findings from such research can also be used as preventive and/or curative measures like - Policy changes, useful in clinical / counseling settings for effective psychotherapy; can be applied in legal set up for civil matters, family matters like property disputes or divorce cases etc