The effects of personality and social media experiences on mental health: Examining the mediating role of fear of missing out, ghosting, and vaguebooking

Abstract

The present study examined the relationships between personal characteristics, social media experiences, and mental health. We carried out an online survey of 995 adolescents and young adults, who completed self-reported questionnaires about their personal characteristics (gender, age); personality traits (need to belong, social comparison orientation, social identity, histrionic personality); frequency of social media use; and social media experiences concerning fear of missing out, being a victim of ghosting, and vaguebooking as well as mental health. We had an international sample with a strong European focus. The results, based on structural equation modeling, demonstrated that the independent variables were both directly and indirectly related to mental health. In particular, the study highlights the importance of a triad between fear of missing out, being a victim of ghosting, and vaguebooking. This triad represents a significant mediating mechanism that should be reflected in future research as well as assessment and intervention activities pertaining to social media-related mental health problems.