DefinePK

Abstract

Fear of Missing Out has become a popular and prominent discussion topic with the widespread and increased use of smart phones, but its relationship to Anxious Attachment and Phubbing Behaviors has not been under the light before. This cross-sectional correlational study was aimed to investigate how Anxious Attachment Style and Phubbing behavior were mediated by Fear of Missing Out in Adults. A total sample of N=304 recruited through the Rule of thumb method using a non-probability convenient sampling approach. Data was gathered using measures of Revised Adult Attachment styles-Close Relationship Version, Fear of Missing Out and General Phubbing Scale. The results show positive correlation in anxious attachment (AA), fear of missing out (FOMO) and Pubbing behavior (PB). Mediation Analysis carried through Hayes process showed significant indirect effect indicating that FOMO was a mediator between AA and PB. The results of present the study suggested that anxious attachment style and fear of missing out play a significant role in determining phubbing behaviors. Results also showed Gender differences in the mean scores of study variables, as AA was more in females, whereas FOMO and PB seen more in males. This study will shed insight on the psychological mechanisms behind PB and FOMO and to improve mental health and well-being, this research can help design therapies that target PB and FOMO in individuals with anxious attachment styles.