Citation

Casale S, Fioravanti G. Addict. Behav. 2019; 102: e106179.

Affiliation

Department of Health Sciences, Psychology and Psychiatry Unit, University of Florence, via di San Salvi 12, Florence, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106179

PMID

31704432

Abstract

Fear of missing out (FoMO) has been linked to problematic social media use and negative health outcomes among adolescents and emerging adults. The 10-item Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMO) is the most used instrument to measure FoMO levels and, for this reason, it seems relevant to evaluate its psychometric properties across various cultures. In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the scale items using a sample of 436 college students [F = 51.1%; M (SD) = 22.13 (2.78) years old]. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in order to determine whether the results of Study 1 could be confirmed with another sample of college students [n = 239; F = 61.1%; M (SD) = 23.02(2.64) years old] and adolescents [n = 178; M = 57.3%; M (SD) = 16.2 (1.48) years old]. The model was also tested for measurement invariance by sex and age (collegiate versus high school students). Full scalar invariance of the FoMO across sex and age was supported and adequate internal consistency was found. Convergent validity was also demonstrated. As a result, we concluded that the FoMO might be used in clinical settings as a means of screening people who show potentially high behavioral engagement with social media. The FoMO can also help identify specific maladaptive cognitions and ruminative thoughts that maintain FoMO.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Factor structure; Fear of missing out; Invariance; Psychometric properties