Fear of missing out and self-esteem as mediators of the relationship between maximization and problematic smartphone use

Abstract

Problematic smartphone use (PSU), which involves an excessive and uncontrolled use of smartphones, thereby causing daily-life disturbance, has been associated with a range of negative outcomes including anxiety, depression, and deficits in social relationships. However, the relationship between PSU and maximization, which could be an explanatory factor, has not yet been thoroughly studied. Drawing on the Interaction-Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model, the current study aimed to investigate the association between PSU and maximization with the assumption that fear of missing out (FoMO) and self-esteem could mediate this relationship. Empirical data were gathered from 277 Italian university students who completed an online survey. Correlation analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used to investigate the relationships among the variables. The results showed that PSU, maximization, and FoMO were positively correlated; whereas maximization and self-esteem were negatively correlated. Furthermore, FoMO and self-esteem partially mediated that relationship, suggesting that participant maximizers experience more FoMO, especially when the participants have fear of missing out on potentially “better” alternatives to social experiences and exhibit low self-esteem. Thus, higher FoMO and low self-esteem can be a driver of PSU. Finally, this study provides new insights about how maximization may have an impact on the development of addictive behaviour such as PSU.

Stress and Problematic Smartphone Use Severity: Smartphone Use Frequency and Fear of Missing Out as Mediators

“…For example, many studies have found that FOMO mediates relations between negative emotions (such as anxiety and depression) and PSU severity (35,37). It has also been found that FOMO plays a mediating role in maximization and PSU (33). Therefore, we can assume that FOMO plays a mediating role between stress and PSU severity.…”

“…People who score higher in FOMO are more likely to overuse their smartphones to satisfy the desire to stay connected (32). FOMO and PSU are positively correlated, and higher FOMO can be a driver of PSU (33). A study by Elhai et al (34) found that FOMO is closely related to negative emotions, social use of smartphones, and PSU severity.…”

Dark Triad of Personality and Problematic Smartphone Use: A Preliminary Study on the Mediating Role of Fear of Missing Out

“…Previous studies have empirically investigated the reliability of FoMO as well as its relationship with social media addiction and PSU, among others (see [15], for a review). Additionally, other studies have reported direct and indirect associations of FoMO with PSU as well as its mediating role [5,[24][25][26][27].…”

“…Recently, it has been suggested that PSU shares some commonalities with the construct of internet-use disorder, since smartphones are the most common way for individuals to access online social media applications [3]. Empirical studies have indicated that PSU can lead to severe psychological impairments for a minority of individuals, including anxiety (see [4], for a review, low self-esteem [5], and low self-control [6,7]. Additionally, PSU has been associated with poor sleep quality [8] and poor academic outcomes [9].…”

The Roles of Primary Emotional Systems and Need Satisfaction in Problematic Internet and Smartphone Use: A Network Perspective

“…For instance, the (small-to-moderate) correlations between excessive digital technology use and depression and anxiety symptom severity are well-documented (Elhai et al, 2017 , 2020a ; Rozgonjuk et al, 2018 ). In addition, correlations have been found with variables that are closely associated with depression and anxiety, such as emotion dysregulation (Hoffner and Lee, 2015 ; Spada and Marino, 2017 ; Rozgonjuk and Elhai, 2020 ), fear of missing out (Hamutoglu et al, 2020 ; Rozgonjuk et al, 2020c ; Servidio, 2021 ), and negative affectivity (Elhai et al, 2018 ; Li et al, 2020 ; Zeng et al, 2021 ). These findings may hint that individual differences in personality traits—relatively stable characteristics over time—could drive these relationships (Marengo et al, 2020 ).…”