Psychological distress, interpersonal sensitivity, and trait-FoMO with problematic use of social media: the mediating roles of boredom and state-FoMO

Yoosefi, A, Shakiba, S, Hassanabadi, H, Dolatshahi, B, Griffiths, MD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-6524, Izanloo, B and Maleki, F, 2025. Psychological distress, interpersonal sensitivity, and trait-FoMO with problematic use of social media: the mediating roles of boredom and state-FoMO. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. ISSN 1557-1874

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Abstract

Background
With the widespread use of social media, the potential for problematic use has increased, making it crucial to understand the factors influencing its development and maintenance. Based on the I-PACE theory (through interaction of predisposing and mediating variables), the present exploratory study investigated the relationships between psychological distress, interpersonal sensitivity, and trait-FoMO with the severity of problematic social media use (PSMU) through boredom and state-FoMO as serial mediating variables.

Method
Using an online survey, 1033 participants (71% females; Mage = 28.74 years [SD ± 9.2]) completed the Social Networking Addiction Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure, Fear of Missing Out Questionnaire, and Short Boredom Proneness Scale.

Results
Analysis using structural equation modeling showed significant associations between PSMU and depression, stress, and interpersonal sensitivity, with the serial mediation of boredom and state-FoMO playing a significant role in these associations. However, anxiety did not demonstrate a significant direct association with PSMU, nor did it play a significant role through the serial mediation of boredom and state-FoMO.

Conclusion
The present study suggests that trait-FoMO as a predisposing variable and state-FoMO as mediating variable have a significant relationship with PSMU and other variables, and is the first study to examine the serial mediating roles of boredom and state-FoMO in PSMU.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Creators:	Yoosefi, A., Shakiba, S., Hassanabadi, H., Dolatshahi, B., Griffiths, M.D., Izanloo, B. and Maleki, F.
Publisher:	Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date:	6 January 2025
ISSN:	1557-1874
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1007/s11469-024-01418-6 DOI 2333116 Other
Rights:	This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-024-01418-6.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Melissa Cornwell
Date Added:	10 Jan 2025 10:30
Last Modified:	10 Jan 2025 10:30
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/52833

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