Eremin R.A. The Fear of Missing Out Phenomenon: From the Search for Empirical Indicators to Understanding Its Psychological Structure

This article addresses the problem of conceptual ambiguity in the construct boundaries of the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) phenomenon.

A theoretical analysis is conducted of the literature conceptualizing FoMO across different theoretical frameworks, alongside empirical studies identifying the construct's associations with psychological need deficits, low subjective well-being, and problematic internet use. On the basis of this analysis, a three-level approach to understanding the psychological structure of the FoMO mechanism is proposed: the predictor level – comprising intrapersonal characteristics as predisposing factors for FoMO experiences; the level of cognitive-affective and cognitive-motivational indicators interacting at the core of the FoMO mechanism; and the level of external manifestations and consequences of the experience, representing the enactment of coping strategies and their outcomes. An approach is proposed and substantiated that complements and refines the I-PACE addictive behavior model by relocating the stable intrapersonal trait – designated within the model as trait-FoMO – from the FoMO construct itself to the predictor category.

The FoMO construct is proposed to be understood as the interaction of two components – cognitive-affective and cognitive-motivational – which is consistent with the most recent empirical findings and aligns with the foundational 2013 definition of FoMO. Operational criteria for designating variables within the FoMO mechanism as its indicators are formulated, namely, content specificity and causal reflectivity. The social nature of the FoMO core serves as an additional discriminatory filter, which is considered primarily when enumerating empirical indicators. The concept of the "degree of sociality," linked to the intensity of the FoMO experience, is introduced; the necessity of empirical verification of the proposed model and further operationalization of the phenomenon is discussed.

In conclusion, it is shown that the work makes a substantial theoretical contribution to FoMO research, identifying promising directions for future investigation and pointing to several possible pathways for resolving unresolved debates regarding the nature, mechanism, and psychological structure of the Fear of Missing Out phenomenon.

Key words: fear of missing out, psychological structure, indicators, self-determination theory, social comparison, problematic internet use

For citation: Eremin, R.A. (2026). The Fear of Missing Out Phenomenon: From the Search for Empirical Indicators to Understanding Its Psychological Structure. New Psychological Research, No. 2, 38–56. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2026_06_02_02