Fear of missing out predicts repeated measurements of greater negative affect using experience sampling methodology

Jon D Elhai; Dmitri Rozgonjuk; Tour Liu; Haibo Yang

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.026

Fear of missing out predicts repeated measurements of greater negative affect using experience sampling methodology

J Affect Disord. 2020 Feb 1:262:298-303. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.026. Epub 2019 Nov 9.

Authors

Jon D Elhai¹, Dmitri Rozgonjuk², Tour Liu³, Haibo Yang³

Affiliations

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 West Bancroft Street, Toledo, Ohio, 43606, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, Ohio, 43614, USA. Electronic address: contact@jon-elhai.com.
² Institute of Psychology, University of Tartu, Näituse 2, Tartu 50409, Estonia; Center of IT Impact Studies, Johann Skytte Institute for Political Studies, University of Tartu, Lossi 36, Tartu 51003, Estonia.
³ Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, No. 57-1 Wujiayao Street, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300074, China.

PMID: 31733919
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.026

Abstract

Background: Fear of missing out (FOMO) has been increasingly researched recently, especially in relation to negative affectivity constructs. Our aim was to examine relations between FOMO and repeated measurements of negative affect over one week.

Method: We investigated associations between FOMO and prospectively-measured negative affect over one week in an experience sampling study of 93 undergraduate students. Participants completed an initial web survey assessing depression, anxiety and FOMO. Over the week, participants responded to daily text messages, assessing negative affect from earlier in the day.

Results: On a bivariate basis, FOMO, depression and anxiety severity were related to daily negative affect assessments. Using multivariate growth modeling, higher initial negative affect was related to decreasing negative affect over the week. Female sex and higher anxiety related to higher initial negative affect ratings. Higher FOMO levels related to increasing negative affect over the week.

Limitations: Findings were based on self-report methodology, using university students and only one week of measurement.

Conclusions: Results suggest that women and more anxious individuals had higher initial negative affect, while FOMO predicted increasing negative affect over the week. Results advance understanding of FOMO in relation to psychopathology, and are discussed in the context of Self-Determination Theory.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Experience sampling methodology; Fear of missing out.

MeSH terms

Adult
Affect*
Anxiety / psychology*
Depression / psychology*
Ecological Momentary Assessment
Fear / psychology*
Female
Humans
Male
Self Report
Severity of Illness Index
Students / psychology*
Young Adult