Let’s admit it: We all gossip. You and your neighbor break down the details of the couple moving in next door. Your group chat is filled with the latest intel on your ex’s new partner. You and your co-worker sometimes just need to rant about your boss’s latest request.
Gossip is our way of staying connected and sharing information with each other. It isn’t inherently bad, but it does have the potential to turn unhealthy. Spotting the difference between harmless chitchat and malicious rumors can save your mental health—and your relationships.
What Is Gossip?
It’s simple. Gossip occurs when you have a conversation about another person who is not present, says Elizabeth Fedrick, a licensed professional counselor and professor of psychology at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Typically, what’s shared tends to be of a personal, intimate, or sensationalized nature and may include judgment or criticism of the person being discussed. For example, you may hear that a coworker has a history of stealing ideas and taking credit for them. In this instance, gossip can tell you who to trust and who might take…
