Work

Exploring Psychological Needs and the Mediating Effect of Fear of Missing out, Psychological Distress and Self-Compassion on Phubbing: A Cross-Sectional University Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Phubbing, or prioritising smartphone use during face-to-face interactions, is an increasingly common behaviour with detrimental effects on mental well-being. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationships between basic psychological needs, psychological distress, the fear of missing out (FoMO), self-compassion and phubbing. A total of 774 university students ( M age = 28.3, 74% women) completed an online questionnaire assessing these variables. After accounting for dysfunctional personality traits, age, gender, and years of smartphone ownership, partial correlations revealed that reduced psychological needs were significantly associated with increased FoMO ( r = .27, p < .001), psychological distress ( r = .42, p < .001), phubbing severity ( r = .17, p = .01), and showed a significant negative relationship with self-compassion ( r = - .46, p < .001). FoMO, but not self-compassion, was found to partially mediate the relationship between psychological needs and phubbing. The findings highlight the critical influence of FoMO on phubbing.

Source: Psychological Reports

DOI: 10.1177/00332941251320028

Authors: Bruce Incoll, Simon R. Knowles

Institution: Swinburne University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650