The Mediator Role of Fear of Missing Out in the Parent-Adolescent Relationship Quality and Problematic Internet Use

Abstract

The aim of the research is to examine the direct and indirect relationship between parent-adolescent relationship quality, problematic internet use, and fear of missing out. The sample consists of 547 university students (67% female and 33% male) aged between 17 and 23 ( X = 22.15, SD = 2.86). Parent-Adolescent Relationship Quality Scale, Fear of Missing Developments Scale, Problematic Internet Use Scale, and Personal Information Form were used to collect the study data. Research hypotheses were tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results of the analysis supported the research hypothesis and showed that the fear of missing out developments had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between the parent-individual relationship quality and problematic internet use. Research analysis showed that negative interaction with parents and creating a negative atmosphere can increase FoMO experiences among adolescents, which might increase their problematic internet use. Limitations, conclusions, and directions for future research are discussed.

Parent-Child Relationship and Smartphone Addiction: The Role of Self-Control and Fear of Missing Out as Mediators

“…Without the formation and improvement of this variable, closeness is not useful in preventing adolescents from smartphone addiction. According to Koca and Saatçı (2022), adolescents' positive relationship with fathers predicted the level of internet addiction. Closeness of adolescents and fathers could improve adolescents' self-control abilities.…”

Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of The Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOs) In Chilean University Students

“…(16) Likewise, other studies explain that FoMO mediates a person's mental health, particularly in feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, influencing emotional well-being, sleep quality, and alcohol consumption. (17) FoMO has been correlated with various health problems, such as sleep disorders, (18) depression, (19,20) psychological distress, (21,22) loneliness , (23,24) problematic use of social networks, (25,26,27) problematic use of smartphones, (28,29) self-esteem issues, (30) eating disorders, (31) and drinking issues, (32) among others. The psychometric properties of the FoMO scale have been studied and validated in populations from several countries, such as Turkey, (11,33) African Americans in the U.S.A., (34) China, (35,36) Indonesia, (37,38) Peru, (39) and Italy.…”