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ABSTRACT
The human need to belong is an innate drive that dictates much of our behavior. Informed by The Belongingness Hypothesis and Information Foraging Theory, the present study examines the relationship between FoMO and well-being. Study 1 (107 college students) investigates the relationship between FoMO, social media intensity and social connection. Results find that FoMO is positively associated with social media intensity, but negatively associated with social connection. The mediation tests, interestingly, reveal more positive results regarding FoMO. Specifically, FoMO has a positive indirect effect on social connection through social media intensity, suggesting that FoMO may, in some cases, be a good thing leading to enhanced social connection. Study 2 (458 college students) finds that FoMO impacts subjective well-being both directly (negatively) and indirectly (positively) through its impact on social media intensity and social connection. Results of the two studies reveal a nuanced model of FoMO and its relationships with social media intensity, connection, and well-being. FoMO can have a positive impact on well-being if it leads to social media use that fosters social connection. Study limitations and future research directions are discussed.
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Notes on contributors
James A. Roberts
James A. Roberts is the Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing at Baylor University. He has approximately 80 articles published in numerous journals including Computers in Human Behavior, the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Consumer Psychology, Psychology & Marketing, and many others.
Meredith E. David
Meredith E. David (PhD, University of South Carolina) is an Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University. Her research focuses on consumer behavior and appears in journals including the Journal of Business Research, Journal of Advertising, European Journal of Marketing, and Psychology & Marketing.