Workplace fear of missing out and job burnout: The chain mediating effect of psychological detachment and work–family conflict

Abstract

We explored the chain mediating role of psychological detachment and work–family conflict in the relationship between workplace fear of missing out (FOMO) and job burnout. Participants comprised 324 Chinese employees who completed online surveys at four time points. Results were as follows: (a) workplace FOMO was negatively correlated with psychological detachment and positively correlated with work–family conflict and job burnout, (b) psychological detachment and work–family conflict played a mediating role in the relationship between workplace FOMO and job burnout, and (c) psychological detachment and work–family conflict played a chain mediating role in the relationship between workplace FOMO and job burnout. The multiple mediating mechanisms by which workplace FOMO affects job burnout point to its harmful effects and indicate a need to reduce its potential impact on job burnout by increasing employees' psychological detachment and reducing their work–family conflict levels.