Nomophobia, Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), and Psychological Well-being among College Students

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between nomophobia, fear of missing out (FoMO), and psychological well-being among college students in the context of increasing digital technology use and mobile phone dependency. A total of 367 students aged 18 to 25 participated through a convenience sampling method and completed standardized tools including the Nomophobia Questionnaire, Fear of Missing Out Scale, and an 18-item Psychological Well-being Scale. A quantitative correlational research design was used to assess the direction and strength of relationships among the variables, with data collected in a structured and systematic manner. The findings revealed that participants experienced moderate levels of nomophobia, FoMO, and psychological well-being. A strong positive correlation was found between nomophobia and FoMO, indicating that higher phone dependency is associated with greater fear of missing out, while both variables showed a weak but significant relationship with psychological well-being. The study also suggested that excessive mobile phone use may contribute to increased social anxiety; however, overall psychological well-being remained relatively stable among most participants. These findings highlight the growing impact of digital behavior on mental health and emphasize the need for interventions to promote healthier smartphone use and enhance psychological well-being among young adults.