Online-specific fear of missing out and Internet-use expectancies contribute to symptoms of Internet-communication disorder

TLDR

Online applications such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter enable global communication but excessive use can lead to Internet‑communication disorder, partly driven by fear of missing out when not online. The study aims to examine how psychopathological symptoms and fear of missing out influence expectancies toward Internet‑communication apps and thereby contribute to Internet‑communication disorder symptoms. A structural equation model was applied to 270 participants to assess how psychopathological symptoms and fear of missing out affect expectancies toward Internet‑communication apps and predict disorder symptoms. Results show that psychopathological symptoms predict higher fear of missing out and higher expectancies of using Internet‑communication apps as an escape, and these cognitions mediate the effect of psychopathological symptoms on Internet‑communication disorder, supporting Brand et al.'s theoretical model.

Abstract

Some of the most frequently used online applications are Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter. These applications allow individuals to communicate with other users, to share information or pictures, and to stay in contact with friends all over the world. However, a growing number of users suffer from negative consequences due to their excessive use of these applications, which can be referred to as Internet-communication disorder. The frequent use and easy access of these applications may also trigger the individual's fear of missing out on content when not accessing these applications. Using a sample of 270 participants, a structural equation model was analyzed to investigate the role of psychopathological symptoms and the fear of missing out on expectancies towards Internet-communication applications in the development of symptoms of an Internet-communication disorder. The results suggest that psychopathological symptoms predict higher fear of missing out on the individual's Internet-communication applications and higher expectancies to use these applications as a helpful tool to escape from negative feelings. These specific cognitions mediate the effect of psychopathological symptoms on Internet-communication disorder. Our results are in line with the theoretical model by Brand et al. (2016) as they show how Internet-related cognitive bias mediates the relationship between a person's core characteristics (e.g., psychopathological symptoms) and Internet-communication disorder. However, further studies should investigate the role of the fear of missing out as a specific predisposition, as well as specific cognition in the online context.