JOMO: Joy of missing out and its association with social media use, self-perception, and mental health

• Published in: Telematics and Informatics Reports Vol. 10; p. 100054
• Main Authors: Barry, Christopher T., Smith, Emma E., Murphy, Mackenzie B., Halter, Brianna M., Briggs, Jacob
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Fear of missing out; Joy of missing out; Loneliness; Social media use; Fear of missing out; Loneliness; Joy of missing out; Social media use
• ISSN: 2772-5030; 2772-5030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.teler.2023.100054

•Reports initial results on a measure of joy of missing out (JOMO).•Results were mixed with JOMO relating to life satisfaction and social anxiety.•Person-centered analyses also demonstrated mixed relations for JOMO with well-being.•Implications for JOMO as state- rather than trait-based are discussed. The potential validity and utility of a joy of missing out (JOMO) construct in relation to social media use, self-perception, and indicators of mental health was examined. This research follows from evidence that fear of missing out (FOMO) on social activities is associated with social media use, low self-esteem, loneliness, and internalizing problems. Data were collected in two samples of adults ages 18 to 59 (Study 1: n = 507, mage = 37.07, sd = 9.15, male = 59.3%; Study 2: n = 488, mage = 35.84, sd = 9.36, male = 55.5%). Study 1 took a variable-centered approach, with total JOMO scores relating moderately to FOMO, social anxiety, social media use during daily activities, life satisfaction, and mindfulness. In the second study, a person-centered approach based on JOMO, social media use during daily activities, and loneliness provided support for 4 classes of participants. A relatively low number of participants were classified into a cluster including high JOMO scores. This cluster reported internalizing difficulties but also high life satisfaction. The findings across both studies indicate that JOMO, as operationalized, may be uncommon given a general preference to connect with others. Further, the construct may encompass a capacity to attain a state of positive self-perception for some but also social anxiety for others. Additional work on JOMO as a state-based construct and/or that emphasizes motives for missing out may be warranted.