Relationship of Fear of Missing Out and Internet Addiction; Mediating Role of Self-Control Among Female Adults

The present study examined the relationship of Fear of Missing Out and Internet Addiction, and the mediating role of Self-Control among female adults. A correlational, cross-sectional survey design was used, and data were collected from 300 women (N = 300), equally divided into a younger adult group (19-40 years) and a middle-aged adult group (41-50 years) from universities, workplaces and residential areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOS) (Przybylski et al., 2013), Internet Addiction Test (IAT) (Young, 1998), and Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) (Tangney et al., 2004) were administered to measure the study variables. Correlational, regression and mediation analyses were carried out to examine the relationships among variables. The results showed a significant positive relationship between Fear of Missing Out and Internet Addiction, and a significant negative relationship of Self-Control with both Fear of Missing Out and Internet Addiction. Self-Control was found to partially mediate the relationship between Fear of Missing Out and Internet Addiction. These findings highlight Self-Control as a key protective factor and suggest that interventions strengthening Self-Control could help reduce problematic internet use among women.