The Effect of Fear of Missing Out on Mental Health: Differences in Different Solitude Behaviors

Abstract

Abstract Background: Depression, anxiety, and stress are the main issues that affect the mental health of individuals. Solitude behavior, fear of missing out, and mental health are all closely related. Objective: This study was intended to investigate the relationship between solitude behavior, FoMO, and mental health. Methods: Short Form of Solitude Behavior Scale (SBS-S), Fear of Missing Out scale (FoMOs), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were employed in this study to investigate 616 college students. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 for basic data organization, and Mplus 8.3 was used to complete the analysis of the mediation model. Results: (1) Positive solitude positively predicted eccentricity and negatively predicted loneliness; social avoidance positively predicted eccentricity and loneliness. (2) Social avoidance and loneliness affected mental health through the mediating effect of FoMO, whereas positive solitude and eccentricitydid not affect mental health through FoMO. Moreover, the results still held in the model with depression, anxiety, and stress as dependent variables. Conclusion:The roles of different solitude behavior in the relationship between FoMO and mental health differed. Social avoidance and loneliness as not self-determined solitude can activate the FoMO, which can affect mental health.