When we use online dating apps We meet new people. In some cases it may happen that the other gives elusive answers or do not answer the messages for “jump” directly to the next step. If that happens, you may be victims of the Breadcrumbingan action that seriously affects our mental health.
What is Breadcrumbing?
According to Raúl Navarro OlivasProfessor of Psychology of the Castilla-La Mancha University, Spainrefers to a behavior pattern in which a person manifests interest intermittently but constantly towards another, without having a real intention of emotionally commit nor establish a formal relacionship. It can be classified as a practice of handling.
Besides of Breadcrumbingthe professional refers to concepts such as ghosting either love bombingwhich are used to encompass certain behaviors that, although they are not new, are enhanced by the social networks. This phenomenon has already been adopted by behavioral experts in countries as diverse as Spain, India and USA.
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How to identify Breadcrumbing?
In a study of their authorship published in 2020 in the academic journal “Psychological Writings”, Navarro Olivas and other researchers point out that “slightly more than three out of every 10 participants” in a study carried out in Spain indicated that they had suffered Breadcrumbing.
The research also revealed that the use of dating appsthe short term relationships or the habit of monitor online behavior from someone else increase the possibility of suffer and also of exercise this pattern of behavior.
In recent times, it is common for someone to keep an eye on the behavior of another in the social networks when there is a romantic interest. According to the study, this is a way of “reduce” the uncertainty about the couple. However, this may cause someone to question your relationshipgenerate strain and cause the Breadcrumbing.
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He lighter pattern of who performs Breadcrumbing is the intermittency in communicationeither through the digital platforms or in person.
In order to avoid the commitmentthe perpetrator can ignore details about your family or friends and prevent the other person from knowing them. I could also decline to enter the intimate environment of the victim. Likewise, people who practice Breadcrumbing they usually avoid raising future plans.
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How do the ““Breadcrumber”?
Navarro Olivas points out that, although he doesn’t like labels, personality traits narcissistic They usually appear in those who release the emotional crumbs.
According to the USA Mayo Cliniche narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health illness in which people have a unreasonable air of superiority. Given this, they search draw attention of others and that admire. But deep down they are unsure of themselves and it costs them understand feelings of others.
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consequences of Breadcrumbing
Those who suffer from emotional dependence either low self-esteem could be at risk of staying longer in a toxic relationshipincluding those based on the Breadcrumbing, comments the researcher. However, he adds that anyone could be a victim and experiment emotional consequences. “It is harmful“, says Navarro Olivas, “because it attacks our most important psychological need, which is that of belonging and of link up with other beings.”
According to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, suffering Breadcrumbing may cause dissatisfaction with lifeexpand the feeling of loneliness and the abandonment.
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What to do if I suffer from breadcrumbing?
Navarro Olivas believes that any victim should seek support from your trusted peopleas well as a therapist. “Talk to your environment, comment on what is happening to have a external view. When you have a romantic interestthat may not do you see the negative“he concludes.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
