FoMO, but not self-compassion, moderates the link between social media use and anxiety in adolescence

Social media use is ubiquitous during adolescence, and emerging research suggests an association with anxiety symptoms in some individuals. Two psychological constructs which may moderate this relationship are Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and self-compassion. Higher FoMO tendencies may exacerbate the link between social media use and anxiety symptoms through greater fixation on social comparison, whereas higher self-compassion may weaken this link. The purpose of this study was to examine whether FoMO and self-compassion independently moderate the relationship between social media use and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. Participants included 951 adolescents (Mage = 13.69, SD = 0.72; 54% male). Online questionnaires assessed frequency of social media use, anxiety symptoms, FoMO, and self-compassion. FoMO moderated the relationship between social media use and anxiety, ΔR2 = .022, ΔF(1,945) = 26.26, p These findings have implications for social media use, public guidelines and clinical practice and support adoption of a discerning approach to adolescent’s social media use. What is already known about this topic:Whilst some studies demonstrate an association between social media use and anxiety, depression or self harm, other studies suggest social media is beneficial to wellbeing.Previous research suggests that Fear of Missing out mediates the association between anxiety and social media use.Self compassion is associated with less time spent on social media. Whilst some studies demonstrate an association between social media use and anxiety, depression or self harm, other studies suggest social media is beneficial to wellbeing. Previous research suggests that Fear of Missing out mediates the association between anxiety and social media use. Self compassion is associated with less time spent on social media. What this topic adds:This study identified students who are adversely affectedby social media use amongst Australian adolescents and differentiated them from students who derive some benefit from social media use.Students who were concerned by a fear of missing out showed that social media use was associated with increased levels of anxiety. Incontrast, for students who were not concerned with missing out, increased social media use was associated with reduced levels of anxiety.Self-compassion did not moderate the association between increased social media use and anxiety symptoms. This study identified students who are adversely affectedby social media use amongst Australian adolescents and differentiated them from students who derive some benefit from social media use. Students who were concerned by a fear of missing out showed that social media use was associated with increased levels of anxiety. Incontrast, for students who were not concerned with missing out, increased social media use was associated with reduced levels of anxiety. Self-compassion did not moderate the association between increased social media use and anxiety symptoms.青少年时期社交媒体的使用已极为普遍，新兴研究显示其与部分个体的焦虑症状存在关联。可能调节这一关系的两种心理构念为错失恐惧（Fear of Missing Out, FoMO）与自我同情。更高的FoMO倾向可能通过加剧社会比较执念，强化社交媒体使用与焦虑症状之间的关联；而更高水平的自我同情则可能削弱这一关联。本研究旨在探讨FoMO与自我同情是否分别调节青少年群体中社交媒体使用与焦虑症状之间的关系。本研究共纳入951名青少年（平均年龄Mage=13.69，标准差SD=0.72；男性占比54%）。通过线上问卷评估社交媒体使用频率、焦虑症状、FoMO及自我同情水平。FoMO对社交媒体使用与焦虑症状间的关系具有调节作用，ΔR²=0.022，ΔF(1,945)=26.26，p。本研究结果对社交媒体使用规范、公共健康指南及临床实践均具有参考价值，支持对青少年社交媒体使用采取审慎甄别态度。 ### 本领域已有的研究共识： 尽管部分研究证实社交媒体使用与焦虑、抑郁或自我伤害行为存在关联，但另有研究表明社交媒体对心理健康有益。既往研究显示，错失恐惧在焦虑与社交媒体使用的关联中起中介作用。自我同情与更少的社交媒体使用时长相关。 尽管部分研究证实社交媒体使用与焦虑、抑郁或自我伤害行为存在关联，但另有研究表明社交媒体对心理健康有益。既往研究显示，错失恐惧在焦虑与社交媒体使用的关联中起中介作用。自我同情与更少的社交媒体使用时长相关。 ### 本研究的学术增量： 本研究在澳大利亚青少年群体中甄别出受社交媒体使用负面影响的个体，并将其与从社交媒体使用中获益的个体区分开来。存在错失恐惧倾向的个体，其社交媒体使用与焦虑水平升高呈正相关；相反，无错失恐惧担忧的个体，社交媒体使用增加则与焦虑水平降低相关。自我同情并未对社交媒体使用增加与焦虑症状间的关联起到调节作用。 本研究在澳大利亚青少年群体中甄别出受社交媒体使用负面影响的个体，并将其与从社交媒体使用中获益的个体区分开来。存在错失恐惧倾向的个体，其社交媒体使用与焦虑水平升高呈正相关；相反，无错失恐惧担忧的个体，社交媒体使用增加则与焦虑水平降低相关。自我同情并未对社交媒体使用增加与焦虑症状间的关联起到调节作用。