Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) has emerged as a significant psychological phenomenon in the digital era, particularly among students and young adults who are highly engaged with social media platforms. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of FOMO by examining the interrelationships between social pressure, emotional anxiety, and behavioral engagement in digital environments. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires measured on a Likert scale to assess FOMO-related dimensions. Data were analyzed using correlation and regression techniques to identify the strength and direction of relationships among variables.The results revealed moderate to strong positive correlations among social pressure, emotional anxiety, and digital engagement behaviors (r = 0.26–0.57), indicating that individuals experiencing higher levels of perceived social pressure tend to report increased anxiety and more frequent social media use. Regression analysis further demonstrated that emotional anxiety significantly predicted FOMO levels, suggesting its central role as a mediating factor between social influence and behavioral responses. These findings support theoretical perspectives such as Self-Determination Theory and Social Comparison Theory, emphasizing the importance of social belonging and continuous comparison in shaping online behaviors.In conclusion, FOMO operates as a multidimensional construct driven by interconnected psychological and social mechanisms. The study highlights the need for interventions aimed at reducing social pressure and managing emotional responses to improve digital well-being and prevent negative outcomes such as excessive screen time and sleep disruption. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on digital psychology and provide practical implications for educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers.
Borvonsachoti et al. (Mon,) studied this question.