These include a negative impact on a person's self-confidence, work or school performance, home life, and mental health. People who have been the subject of gossip have been shown to develop depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and eating disorders. In addition, it is never just the person to whom it is addressed that is affected. Being the target of gossip can be humiliating and isolating, and the mental health effects of rumors and gossip can be significant.
Seeking support from friends and family (as well as from a qualified mental health professional, when needed) can be beneficial to those dealing with the effects of gossip. Connecting with friends can remind a person that they have a support network, regardless of gossip, and can prevent them from feeling left out. It's obvious that negativity leads to negativity. But does gossiping at work really have an impact on our mental health, or is it harmless? What makes gossip good, bad or neutral is how we use information, not the content of the news itself, McAndrew says.
What many people don't realize, or perhaps struggle to accept, is that gossiping is a form of intimidation. This type of gossip is called “prosocial gossip” because it serves to warn others, which has the effect of reducing general exploitation in groups, Willer says. Gossip is some kind of lewd information, often about a person's relationships, love life, sexual behavior, or other personal problems that may not be comfortable sharing, often leading the person to feel shame, shame, or pain. A bad gossip, on the other hand, is someone who shares information about others in order to get ahead or gain an advantage, or simply recklessly.
Gossip refers to sharing another person's personal information, usually without the presence or knowledge of that other person. Gossip is indirect, and the subject, or target, is often spoken of behind their back in a negative way. Taken together, the evidence suggests that gossip can play an important role in maintaining social order, Willer says. Most gossip was not coded as positive or negative; most of the gossip recorded in this study (75 percent) was neutral.
They may be thinking the worst if they suspect that you're gossiping about them, which could lead to a reduction in health and well-being in the workplace. Therapists can also help those who want to speak out against gossip or start a conversation with people who spread rumors develop a plan to do so, if they are not sure how to initiate communication directly. Sometimes it's mundane everyday information, but when gossip includes elements of sex or unfaithful relationships known as juicy gossip, it can be particularly hurtful and harmful. People who constantly spread negative information about others can damage their own reputation by stating that they are not trustworthy and may become the next target of any rumors or gossip.
