Jon D Elhai1, Haibo Yang2, Jianwen Fang3, Xuejun Bai3, Brian J Hall4. 1. Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, No. 57-1 Wujiayao Street, Hexi District, Tianjin 300074, China; Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH 43606, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, 3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43614, USA. 2. Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, No. 57-1 Wujiayao Street, Hexi District, Tianjin 300074, China. Electronic address: yanghaibo@tjnu.edu.cn. 3. Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, No. 57-1 Wujiayao Street, Hexi District, Tianjin 300074, China. 4. Global and Community Mental Health Research Group, Faculty of Social Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences Building, E21-3040, University of Macau, Av. da Universidade, Taipa, Macao (SAR), China; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Recently studies examined mediating psychological constructs accounting for relations between both depression and anxiety with problematic smartphone use (PSU) severity. The aim of the current study was to analyze the fear of missing out (FOMO) as a possible mediator in these relationships. METHOD: We recruited 1034 Chinese undergraduate students via a web-based survey that measured smartphone use frequency, PSU, depression, anxiety and FOMO. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling demonstrated that FOMO was significantly related to smartphone use frequency and PSU severity. FOMO significantly mediated relations between anxiety and both smartphone use frequency and PSU severity. FOMO did not account for relations between depression and smartphone use/PSU. CONCLUSION: This is one of the first studies testing FOMO in relation to PSU severity among Asian participants. FOMO may be an important variable accounting for why some types of psychopathology (e.g., anxiety) are associated with PSU.
INTRODUCTION: Recently studies examined mediating psychological constructs accounting for relations between both depression and anxiety with problematic smartphone use (PSU) severity. The aim of the current study was to analyze the fear of missing out (FOMO) as a possible mediator in these relationships. METHOD: We recruited 1034 Chinese undergraduate students via a web-based survey that measured smartphone use frequency, PSU, depression, anxiety and FOMO. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling demonstrated that FOMO was significantly related to smartphone use frequency and PSU severity. FOMO significantly mediated relations between anxiety and both smartphone use frequency and PSU severity. FOMO did not account for relations between depression and smartphone use/PSU. CONCLUSION: This is one of the first studies testing FOMO in relation to PSU severity among Asian participants. FOMO may be an important variable accounting for why some types of psychopathology (e.g., anxiety) are associated with PSU.
Authors: Hesna Gul; Sumeyra Firat; Mehmet Sertcelik; Ahmet Gul; Yusuf Gurel; Birim G Kilic Journal: Indian J Psychiatry Date: 2022-06-08 Impact factor: 2.983