Fear of missing out and compulsive buying behavior: The moderating role of mindfulness

The current study investigates the relationship between the fear of missing out (FoMO) and depression, anxiety, materialism, and compulsive buying behavior (CBB). Furthermore, the study also investigates the potential moderating role of mindfulness in the relationship between FoMO and outcomes. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data from 569 participants, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze that data through SmartPLS. The finding showed that FoMO has a positive and significant effect on CBB, whereas depression, social anxiety, and materialism partially mediate the relationship between FoMO and CBB. Additionally, mindfulness has a significant moderating role in the relationship between FoMO and negative consequences. This study underscores the significance of mindfulness-based interventions in mitigating the adverse effects of FoMO on depression, social anxiety, materialism, and CBB, among adults.