Psychology Research and Behavior Management (Jan 2022)

Problematic Mobile Phone Use Increases with the Fear of Missing Out Among College Students: The Effects of Self-Control, Perceived Social Support and Future Orientation

  • Sun C,
  • Sun B,
  • Lin Y,
  • Zhou H

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 15
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Changkang Sun,1,* Binghai Sun,1,* Yishan Lin,1 Hui Zhou2 1College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, People’s Republic of China; 2Jinhua Advanced Research Institute, Jinhua, 321004, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yishan LinCollege of Education and Human Development, Zhejiang Normal University, 688 Ying bin Road, Jinhua, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected] ZhouJinhua Advanced Research Institute, Jinhua, 321004, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected]: Mobile phones bring much convenience to college students’ lives, but they also cause problems. Few studies have explored the effect of the fear of missing out (FoMO) on problematic mobile phone use among college students. This study tested the mediating effect of self-control in the relationship between FoMO and problematic mobile phone use. It also explored the moderating roles of perceived social support and future orientation in the relationship between these variables.Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in this study. Materials include the Fear of Missing Out Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, Self-control Scale (Chinese version), Mobile Phone Addiction Index, and Consideration of Future Consequences Scale. Of 3606 participants, 3189 completed the questionnaire. SPSS 21 was used to analyze the mediation and moderation effects.Results: The results showed that problematic mobile phone use was positively predicted by FoMO. The relationship between FoMO and problematic mobile phone use was partially mediated by self-control. When the scores of perceived social support and future orientation were high, the negative effect of FoMO on problematic mobile phone use was reduced.Conclusion: The negative effect of FoMO on problematic mobile phone use through self-control was moderated by perceived social support and future orientation.Keywords: fear of missing out, self-control, perceived social support, future orientation, problematic mobile phone use

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