What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the psychological pathways connecting life satisfaction and loneliness to online impulse buying through the sequential mediating roles of self-esteem and fear of missing out (FoMO).

August 15, 2026Acta PsychologicaOpen Access

Psychological predictors of online impulse buying: The role of loneliness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and FoMO in social commerce environments

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To investigate the psychological pathways connecting life satisfaction and loneliness to online impulse buying through the sequential mediating roles of self-esteem and fear of missing out (FoMO).
Conducted a cross-sectional survey of N=311 Chinese young adults aged 18–35 years recruited via social media, university networks, and commercial survey panels.
Tested a sequential mediation model grounded in Self-Determination Theory and Sociometer Theory using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
Lower life satisfaction and higher loneliness significantly predicted reduced self-esteem.
Decreased self-esteem increased fear of missing out (FoMO), which subsequently led to higher online impulsive buying tendencies.

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Implication

Cross-sectional survey reveals sequential psychological pathways driving impulse buying in young adults, highlighting digital consumption as compensation for unmet emotional needs.

Cite This Study

Sadiq et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8019f175c2e31742c86322 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.107599

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Implication

Cross-sectional survey reveals sequential psychological pathways driving impulse buying in young adults, highlighting digital consumption as compensation for unmet emotional needs.

Psychological predictors of online impulse buying: The role of loneliness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and FoMO in social commerce environments

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Psychological predictors of online impulse buying: The role of loneliness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and FoMO in social commerce environments

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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