The relationship between social media addiction, fear of missing out and family functioning: a structural equation mediation model

Eleonora Topino; Alessio Gori; María Verónica Jimeno; Beatriz Ortega; Marco Cacioppo

doi:10.1186/s40359-023-01409-7

The relationship between social media addiction, fear of missing out and family functioning: a structural equation mediation model

BMC Psychol. 2023 Nov 8;11(1):383. doi: 10.1186/s40359-023-01409-7.

Authors

Eleonora Topino¹, Alessio Gori², María Verónica Jimeno^{3

4}, Beatriz Ortega^{3

4}, Marco Cacioppo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University of Rome, Via della Traspontina 21, Rome, 00193, Italy. e.topino@lumsa.it.
² Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Via di San Salvi 12, Pad. 26, Florence, 50135, Italy.
³ Department of Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, 02071, Spain.
⁴ Criminology Research Centre, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Benjamín Palencia Building Campus Universitario s/n, Albacete, 02071, Spain.
⁵ Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University of Rome, Via della Traspontina 21, Rome, 00193, Italy.

Abstract

Background: The use of social media became a daily activity for many individuals, with recreational, informational, and social purposes, to name a few. However, for some subjects, the use of these platforms may become problematic and generate functioning impairments in many life areas. Given this, the present research aimed at investigating the factor that may contribute to Social Media Addiction, by focusing on Fear of Missing Out and Family Functioning Patterns.

Methods: A sample of 303 social media users (M_age = 35.29; SD = 14.87; 65% females, 35% males) completed a survey including the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales-IV, and Fear of Missing Out Scale. Data were analysed by implementing Pearson correlation and testing a mediation with the Structural Equation Model approach.

Results: Cohesion, flexibility, and disengagement family functioning patterns were significantly associated with the levels of social media addiction. These dimensions were inserted in the structural equation model, where the full mediation of fear of missing out in their relationship with social media addiction was shown.

Conclusions: The data showed the protective effect of flexible and cohesive family functioning patterns, as well as the role of disengagement and, sequentially, fear of missing out as risk factors. These findings may provide useful indications to elaborate tailored and effective therapeutic and preventive activity.

Keywords: Family Functioning; Fear of Missing Out; FoMO; Mediation Model; SEM; structural equation modeling; Social Media Addiction; problematic social media use.

MeSH terms

Activities of Daily Living
Adult
Fear
Female
Humans
Internet Addiction Disorder*
Male
Risk Factors
Social Media*