The present study investigated the relationship between the fear of missing out, social media engagement, and psychological well-being of college students and whether gender differences moderate and social comparison orientation mediate the relationship among the variables. With the growing prevalence of social media usage, it is crucial to examine how these variables interact and their impact on individuals' psychological well-being. This study employed a descriptive and predictive-causal research design and collected data from 399 college students. The respondents completed self-report questionnaires, namely the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Scale, the Social Media Engagement Scale, the Fear of Missing Out Scale, and the Psychological Well-being Scale. Analysis of the data indicated that fear of missing out and social comparison orientation have a direct influence and are good predictors of psychological well-being. On the other hand, social media engagement does not influence the level of psychological well-being of the students. Similarly, social comparison orientation partially mediated the direct influence of fear of missing out on the psychological well-being of the students. However, because of the inclusion of social comparison orientation, social media engagement can now influence the psychological well-being of the students, implying that full mediation occurred. Lastly, using a constrained latent growth method, analysis of the data revealed that the influence of fear of missing out on psychological well-being is strongest for female college students, while the influence of social comparison orientation on psychological well-being is strongest for male respondents based on the results of multi-group analysis.

Authors:
Ivy Marie Zarraga, Adamson University, Philippines
Patricia Lourdes Garcia, Adamson University, Philippines
Ma. Cresiadriane Oxales, Adamson University, Philippines
Vanessa Reyes, Adamson University, Philippines
Rionna Mariel Semilla, Adamson University, Philippines
Jenevalyn Ullega, Adamson University, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Ivy Marie Zarraga is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Adamson University in Philippines

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