Fear of Missing Out on Social Networking Sites: Associations with Life Satisfaction, Problematic Social Media Use, Depressive Symptoms and Phubbing in Young Adulthood

INTRODUCTION: Social networking sites have become an integral part of everyday life. Their use is closely linked to the phenomena of FoMO (fear of missing out), phubbing, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction and problematic social media use. The main aims of this research project were to examine factors associated with the FoMO and to explore how FoMO relates to social networking site use among young adults in the Czech Republic.

METHODS: Online data were collected from 892 Czech participants in young adulthood aged 18–35 years using self-assessment methods: the Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOs), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), the Phubbing Scale (PS) and the Scale of Depresivity (SDDSS). Group differences were examined using Mann–Whitney U tests, with effect sizes calculated as area under the curve (AUC). Relationships between variables were analysed using Spearman’s rank correlation, with 95% confidence intervals reported for the correlation coefficients.

RESULTS: Significant positive associations were observed between FoMO and phubbing (p < 0.001, r = 0.34), FoMO and problematic social media use (p < 0.001, r = 0.52), FoMO and depresivity (p < 0.001, r = 0.34). In contrast, a significant negative association was observed between FoMO and life satisfaction (p < 0.001, r = −0.60). A relationship was also identified between FoMO and the intensity of social networking site use. Higher FoMO was associated with an earlier onset of use, a greater number of profiles, and more time spent on social networking sites.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings of the present study highlight the importance of cautious and mindful use of social networking sites. Further active research in this area is recommended in order to expand the current evidence base.