Fear of missing out (FOMO): overview, theoretical underpinnings, and literature review on relations with severity of negative affectivity and problematic technology use

Jon D Elhai; Haibo Yang; Christian Montag

doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2020-0870

Fear of missing out (FOMO): overview, theoretical underpinnings, and literature review on relations with severity of negative affectivity and problematic technology use

Braz J Psychiatry. 2021 Mar-Apr;43(2):203-209. doi: 10.1590/1516-4446-2020-0870.

Authors

Jon D Elhai^{1

2

3}, Haibo Yang¹, Christian Montag⁴

Affiliations

¹ Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China.
² Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA.
³ Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA.
⁴ Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.

Abstract

This article discusses the fear of missing out (FOMO) on rewarding experiences, an important psychological construct in contemporary times. We present an overview of the FOMO construct and its operational definition and measurement. Then, we review recent empirical research on FOMO's relationship with levels of online social engagement, problematic technology and internet communication use, negative affectivity, and sociodemographic variables. Additionally, we discuss theoretical conceptualizations regarding possible causes of FOMO and how FOMO may drive problematic internet technology use. Finally, we discuss future directions for the empirical study of FOMO.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Fear*
Humans
Problem Behavior*
Technology