Social Media and Fear of Missing Out: An Exploration of the Role of Mindfulness, Cognitive Biases and Need to Belong in Chinese College Students

Abstract

Background: Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) on social media has emerged as a significant concern, particularly among college students, with implications for mental well-being and internet use. While previous studies have explored various aspects of mindfulness about digital behaviors, the specific link between mindfulness and FoMO, as well as the potential mechanisms involved, remains underexplored. Objective: Guided by the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model, this study investigates the relationship between mindfulness and FoMO among Chinese college students. Additionally, it explores the mediating roles of cognitive bias and the need to belong in understanding how mindfulness influences FoMO. Methods: Data was collected from 748 university students from two universities in China. Participants completed questionnaires assessing mindfulness, cognitive bias, the need to belong, and FoMO. Statistical analyses, including mediation models and bootstrapping, were conducted using SPSS 25.0 and the PROCESS macro version 3.3. Results: The SPSS PROCESS macro Model 4 analysis revealed that the relationships between mindfulness and FoMO (β=-.011, P=.738) and between Attention to Positive Information (API) and FoMO (β=.029, P=.383) were nonsignificant. Mindfulness exhibited negative associations with Attention to Negative Information (ANI) (β=- .250, P<.001) and the need to belong (β=-.254, P<.001) and positive associations with API (β=.268, P<.001). Furthermore, ANI positively correlated with FoMO (β=.182, P<.001), and the need to belong had a significant positive impact on FoMO (β=.503, P<.001). The mediation analysis indicated that the effect of mindfulness on FoMO was fully mediated by ANI and the need to belong, with no direct effect through API. Conclusion: By recognizing mindfulness as a valuable psychological resource, this research offers insights for developing targeted interventions aimed at reducing FoMO and promoting healthier social media engagement among this population. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of the interplay between mindfulness, cognitive processes, motivation, and FoMO, offering guidance for future research and practical interventions.