Investigating Direct and Indirect Effects of Social Media Addiction, Social Media Usage and Personality Traits on FOMO

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to investigate direct and indirect effects of Social Media Addiction (SMA), Social Media Usage (DSMU) and Personality Traits beyond BIG 5 on Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). The research was based on quantitative research methods conducted in accordance with the relational survey model and 845 prospective students studying at Sakarya University Faculty of Education were included by stratified sampling method. The path analysis was performed to examine the direct and indirect effects of the variables by AMOS and SPSS. The results show that FOMO directly and positively predicted by SMA, and DSMU had a significant and positive effect on SMA while DSMU having no effect on FOMO. Finally, the results on personality traits and FOMO indicated that agreeableness (AGR) personality trait had a positive effect on FOMO while other personality traits did not. In the study, results were discussed within the framework of the literature.