Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Gaming Disorder among Chinese University Students: Impulsivity and Game Time as Mediators

Abstract

Background and aims Research into the fear of missing out (FoMO) has greatly increased in recent years. Given the negative consequences of gaming disorder (GD) among a small minority of individuals, there is an increasing need for research examining the impact of FoMO on GD. However, little is known about the roles of impulsivity and gaming time as mediators in the relationship between FoMO and GD. The present study examined whether impulsivity and gaming time mediated the relationship between FoMO (trait-FoMO and state-FoMO) and GD among Chinese university students, as well as the prevalence of GD. Methods A total of 1127 university students completed an online survey including the Chinese Trait-State Fear of Missing Out Scale (T-SFoMOS-C), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Brief (BIS-Brief), gaming time survey, and the Chinese Gaming Disorder Scale (CGDS). Results The prevalence of GD was 6.4% among Chinese university students. Trait-FoMO was found to indirectly impact GD via impulsivity and gamine time, whereas the direct effect of trait-FoMO on GD and the mediation effects of gaming time were not confirmed. State-FoMO impacted on GD both directly, and indirectly via the mediation effects of impulsivity as well as impulsivity and gaming time. Conclusion Trait-FoMO on GD was fully mediated via impulsivity and gaming time, whereas state-FoMO on GD was partly mediated via impulsivity and gaming time. Individuals with high levels of FoMO were more likely to show impulsivity and spend a longer time gaming, and these factors were associated with GD. These findings provide insights to incorporate into health prevention programs to help regulate emotion, control impulsivity, and decrease GD.