Fear of Missing Out among University Students: A Cross-sectional Survey Study

Abstract

Background and Aim: Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a universal fear that someone else is doing something enjoyable that they are not. It is a growing phenomenon among college students, with many of them constantly checking their phones. The aim of the current study is to investigate the FOMO among university students. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted with a convenience sample of 323 young adults recruited through online platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. The survey utilized Google Forms, which included informed consent and both the FOMO Scale (a 15-item self-report measure) and the Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form (SMAS-SF) consisting of 29 items. Participants rated their agreement with each item on a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Three hundred and twenty-three students (190 female and 132 male) responded out of 609 for a response rate of 53.03%. The majority of participants (42%) had a FOMO score between 21–30 and 11–20 (40%). The majority of participants (59%) had an SMAS-SF score between 60 and 89, whereas 27% had a score between 90 and 119. Only 1% of participants had a score between 120 and 145. These results suggest that social media addiction is also a common problem among university students. Conclusion: Excessive smartphone and social media usage, particularly in times of isolation, can give rise to negative outcomes such as FOMO and social comparison, underscoring the importance of promoting healthy digital habits and implementing interventions for overall well-being.

Keywords

• mental health
• social comparison
• students
• university