Fear of missing out (FOMO), emotional distress, and problematic social media use among university student
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29120/ijpsw.2025.v16.i1.655Keywords:
Fear of missing out (FoMO), , emotional distress, problematic social media use, university studentsAbstract
Background: The rapid increase in social media usage among university students has emphasised the psychological difficulties associated with Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), Emotional Distress, and Problematic Social Media Use. This study examines the relationship between these variables among university students, assessing the impact of FoMO on emotional well-being and social media dependency. Materials and methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design included 100 students from various departments at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The study utilised the Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOs), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) to assess the key variables. The data was analysed using Correlation, t-test, ANOVA and Multiple Linear Regression analysis to identify relationships, gender differences and significant predictors. Results: Correlation analysis indicates that higher levels of FoMO were substantially associated with greater emotional distress and an increased chance of PSMU. A possible gender difference in anxiety associated with FoMO is also suggested by the fact that female students reported higher anxiety levels than male students. Conclusion: These findings underscore the psychological effects of FoMO on students' social media use and mental well-being. The research underlines the imperative of targeted interventions, such as mindfulness practices and digital literacy programs, to help students cope with FoMO and reduce detrimental social media dependence, enhancing mental well-being.
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