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Modern Psychological Studies

Volume

29

Number

1

Department

Dept. of Psychology

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Date

2023

Abstract

We conducted two survey studies to better understand how using social media relates to differing outcomes in perceptions of social support and the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) in college students (N = 251, N = 529, respectively). Correlation analyses revealed higher levels of FoMO were most strongly related to scrolling behaviors on social media, whereas posting behaviors were correlated with increased feelings of belonging and lower levels of FoMO. No significant correlation was found between perceived online social support and FoMO. Finally, no significant gender differences in FoMO were found. These behavior-based relationships are likely linked to people's innate need for belonging. The results of our studies suggest that posting (rather than scrolling) relates to more feelings of belonging and fewer feelings of missing out. Limitations and future directions are further addressed.

Keyword

social media; social networking sites; Fear of Missing Out; perceived social support; gender; need to belong; achieved belonging

Discipline

Psychology

Document Type

article

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Included in

Psychology Commons

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