FoMOs-A Validation

Abstract

Abstract: The Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) has become central to understanding adolescents’ engagement with social media and its psychological consequences. Given adolescents’ heightened sensitivity to peer belonging and approval, this study validated the Fear of Missing Out Scale for Adolescents (FoMOs-A) in a Portuguese sample and examined its associations with indicators of mental health and digital behavior. A total of 288 adolescents (12–18 years) completed the FoMOs-A and measures of psychological well-being, social anxiety, and smartphone addiction. Competing models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis, and convergent, discriminant, and test–retest validity were examined. Results supported a two-factor structure – Internalizing (emotional) and Externalizing (behavioral), with adequate reliability and configural sex invariance. Higher FoMO scores correlated positively with smartphone addiction and social anxiety and negatively with psychological well-being. Differentiating these emotional and behavioral dimensions may help clarify whether vulnerability is more closely related to emotional distress or to efforts to remain constantly connected, although this distinction appears more relevant for mental health outcomes than for digital behavior. The findings support the psychometric properties of the FoMOs-A and highlight its potential utility among adolescents, and its relevance for educational, clinical, and research settings focused on digital well-being and mental health promotion.