Multigroup analysis of the relationship loneliness, fear of missing out, problematic internet usage and peer perception in gifted and normally developing adolescents

Abstract

The current study examined the effects of Internet usage characteristics and peer perception on loneliness. The mediating role of Internet usage characteristics was examined in the relationship between loneliness and peer perception. The sample included 661 Turkish adolescents (N girls =379, 57.34%; N gifted = 211, 31.92%) aged 11–18 years. Structural equation model analyzes were conducted to test the hypothesis model across the group. Moreover, multigroup structural model was conducted to test the differences of the relationships across gifted and normally developing adolescents. The results of the structural model showed that Internet use characteristics did not have a mediating role in the relationship between adolescents’ peer perception and loneliness. On the other hand, problematic Internet use had a full mediator role in the relationship between fear of missing out and loneliness. The results of the multigroup structural model emphasized the similar effects between the research variables in gifted and normally developing adolescents. The results were discussed with the effects of Internet use characteristics and peer perception on loneliness. We also pointed out that gifted and normally developing adolescents have similar social and technological outcomes and that these outcomes influence mental health.

The Bidirectional Relationships between Fear of Missing Out, Problematic Social Media Use and Adolescents' Well-Being: A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model

“…Furthermore, by definition, a key component of FoMO is a relatively high level of negative affect. Several studies have shown that FoMO is associated with other negative feelings, such as envy (Yin et al, 2021), loneliness (Tatli & Ergin, 2022), and boredom (Liang et al, 2022), which in turn can lead to lower life satisfaction (Marttila et al, 2021;Mujcic & Oswald, 2018;Spruyt et al, 2016). Cross-sectional studies also found that FoMO was negatively associated with life satisfaction (Blachnio & Przepiorka, 2018;Deniz, 2021;Przybylski et al, 2013).…”

Integration of Christ’s Love in Family Discipleship to Overcome Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) in Generation Z

“…Based on a survey conducted by the Healthy Minds Network for Research on Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health and the American College Health Association on 18,764 Gen Zs, depression increased during the Covid-19 pandemic by 40.9% (Al-Saggaf & O'Donnell, 2019). Other symptoms of psychological distress include feelings of loneliness, helplessness, anger, fear, insomnia, avoiding stress, nightmares, dizziness, and palpitations (Hayran & Anik, 2021;Rifaya, 2022;Tatlı & Ergin, 2022). The causes of such symptoms are triggered by stressors in the form of uncertainty, loss of control, helplessness, negative perception (Trikusuma & Hendriani, 2021).…”