Look at what they’re doing! does the fear of missing out (FOMO) mediate the relationship between self-esteem and psychological distress?

Introduction: The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) contributes to a variety of mental health conditions and interpersonal difficulties. However, the mechanisms for these negative effects are unclear. The current study examines two mediation models exploring the relationships between FOMO, self-esteem, and psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress). Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis of data from 560 individuals (N=129 males, 427 females, 4 other; mean age=31.1years) who had completed an online, self-report questionnaire. Data examined included responses from the Fear of Missing Out Scale, Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale, and the DASS-21. Results: FOMO was negatively correlated with self-esteem and positively correlated with distress. Self-esteem was negatively correlated with distress. Mediation analyses revealed that while FOMO did not mediate the relationship between self-esteem and distress, self-esteem was a weak mediator between FOMO and distress. Discussion: Whilst the current study found some support for the theory that individuals with low self-esteem are likely to experience FOMO and distress, there may be other factors and mediators to consider when exploring the mechanisms of self-esteem’s relationship with distress (i.e., personality variables and attachment styles). This is an important area of research that has implications for both mental health services and the community.