Predictors of Fear of Missing Out among University Students in Ghana

Abstract

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is characterized by the anxiety of being left out of social experiences and events, often exacerbated by the ongoing exposure to glorified portrayals of others' lives on social media platforms. It is accompanied by the urge to keep constantly linked with what others are doing through the use of social media. This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of fear of missing out among university students in Ghana. Convenience sampling was used in the cross-sectional descriptive survey to select 442 University of Cape Coast respondents. Four hypotheses and three research questions served as the study's compass. Frequencies and percentages were used to respond to the research questions. Both linear regression and Hayes process macro-moderation analysis were used to test the hypotheses. The study's findings showed that among university students, FOMO was prevalent at moderate (46.2%) and low levels (53.8%). More than half of the students had high self-esteem, and a significant number also had medium and low self-esteem. Most university students were found to have moderately high levels of loneliness. According to the study, among university students, loneliness and self-esteem were significant predictors of FOMO. The association between loneliness and FOMO was not significantly moderated by sex, but the relationship between self-esteem and FOMO was. The study recommended that the National Communications Authority, Ghana Psychology Council and Educational Institutions collaborate in putting measures that regulate the use of social media in place to active mitigate FOMO, as well as building self-esteem in students by creating programs focused on healthy social interactions.