The dialectical experience of the fear of missing out for U.S. American iGen emerging adult college students

A psychological examination of attachment insecurity, loneliness, and fear of missing out as drivers of retail patronage among emerging adults

“…As shown in Figure 1, the present study situates FoMO as an outcome of psychosocial and relational factors (i.e., attachment insecurity and loneliness) and also as a precursor to retail patronage. Accordingly, we align with Harrigan et al (2021) who contend that (1) FoMO is indicative of relationship strength and its potential fragility, and that (2) “[e]merging adults position FoMO as a driving force in their engagement in relationship maintenance. Thus, although participants frame the experience of FoMO as a negative experience, they frame its existence and effect as positive and important.”…”

“…As shown in Figure 1, the present study situates FoMO as an outcome of psychosocial and relational factors (i.e., attachment insecurity and loneliness) and also as a precursor to retail patronage. Accordingly, we align with Harrigan et al (2021) who contend that (1) FoMO is indicative of relationship strength and its potential fragility, and that…”

“…The findings presented here have significant implications for retailers, as FoMO could divert or intensify consumers' interests in daily activities, such as shopping. FoMO is experienced widely among consumers, especially among emerging adults (Harrigan et al, 2021). Consequently, it has the potential to be an influential marketing tool (Patel, 2017).…”

A Multidimensional View of Fear of Missing Out as a Mediator between the Need to Belong and Problematic Smartphone Use

“…Current research generally supports FOMO as a driving factor behind both non-problematic and problematic smartphone use behaviors (Roberts & David, 2020;Song & Kim, 2022;Thanzami, 2022;Yang et al, 2021). Although having higher FOMO has also been linked to increased smartphone use that is not inherently problematic (Harrigan et al, 2021;Roberts & David, 2020), there is a stronger agreement that FOMO is more closely linked to the problematic use pathway. Empirical evidence has shown stronger associations between FOMO and problematic smartphone use than with non-problematic smartphone use (Elhai, Sapci, et al, 2021;Servidio, 2021;Yang et al, 2021).…”

“…This finding also diverges from Kardefelt-Winther (2014)'s compensatory Internet use theory, which suggests that individuals experiencing negative real-life experiences (such as one's worries related to missing out on rewarding experiences) are more likely to compensate through technological use behaviors. A possible reason is that Malaysian undergraduates who experience higher FOMO are more likely to turn to in-person relationships instead of using smartphones to avoid missing out (Harrigan et al, 2021). Specifically, Malaysian undergraduates likely rationalize FOMO more closely as a threat to in-person connectedness than to their online connectedness.…”