Materialism and adolescent problematic smartphone use: The mediating role of fear of missing out and the moderating role of narcissism

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that materialism, a series of values focused on wealth, possessions, image, and status, is an important risk factor in the dependence of smartphone. However, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms behind this relationship. Based on the theory of self-determination, this study examined whether fear of missing out (FoMO) would mediate the relationship between materialism and adolescent problematic smartphone use, and investigated the moderating role of narcissism in this mediating process. Our theoretical model was tested among 677 middle school students in China (mean age = 16.79, standard deviation = 0.72). The participants provided self-reported data on demographic variables, materialism, FoMO, narcissism, and problematic smartphone use. The results indicated that materialism was positively related to adolescent problematic smartphone use. Mediation analysis showed that FoMO mediated this relation. Moderated mediation test further revealed that the mediated path was moderated by narcissism. This study highlights the mediating and moderating mechanisms linking materialism to adolescent problematic smartphone use, which has important implications for the prevention and intervention of problematic smartphone use among adolescents.