Living Online, Fearing Offline: Narcissism and Social Media Addiction as Predictors of Fear of Missing Out among Indonesian Generation Z
Abstract
Generation Z is highly engaged with social media, making them vulnerable to experiencing fear of missing out (FoMO). This condition may be influenced by personality factors such as narcissism, as well as excessive social media use, commonly referred to as social media addiction. This study aimed to examine the role of narcissism and social media addiction as predictors of FoMO among Generation Z. This study employed a quantitative approach with a multiple linear regression design. The sample consisted of 403 Generation Z individuals in Indonesia, aged 17–25 years, who were selected through an accidental sampling technique. The instruments used included the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ) (α = 0.896), the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) (α = 0.913), and the Online Fear of Missing Out Scale (ON-FoMO) (α = 0.904). Data were analyzed using Jamovi version 2.6.44. The results indicated a significant simultaneous effect of narcissism and social media addiction on FoMO (F = 102.08; p < 0.001). Partially, both narcissism and social media addiction were found to be significant predictors of FoMO. This study highlights that narcissism and social media addiction are risk factors for FoMO among Generation Z. Therefore, it is important to develop psychological interventions focused on managing social media use and strengthening self-regulation to reduce the tendency to experience FoMO.
Downloads
References
Adiki, S. R. S. (2025). A study on scrolling and suffering the role of social media in fomo (fear of missing out) among young adults. European Economics Letters, 15(2), 5083–5092. https://doi.org/10.52783/eel.v15i2.3357
Akçıl, S. (2025). Parallel mediation of fomo and loneliness in the relationship between narcissism on social media and mental well-being. OPUS Journal of Society Research, 22(3), 433-442. https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1670920
Ab Razak, R. R., Mohd Yusoff, H. A. N., Mohd Isa, N. A., Embong, R., & Maslan, A. (2021). Spiritual intelligence during catastrophe: the covid-19 pandemic case. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(8). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i8/10672
Alabri, A. (2022). Fear of missing out (fomo): the effects of the need to belong, perceived centrality, and fear of social exclusion. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4824256
Al-Busaidi, A. S., Dauletova, V., & Al-Wahaibi, I. (2022). The role of excessive social media content generation, attention seeking, and individual differences on the fear of missing out: a multiple mediation model. Behaviour & Information Technology, 42(9), 1389–1409. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2022.2075791
Alcântara, L. O. N. de, Santos, L. de C. R. dos, Lemes, A., Pereira, C., Pereira, B. A., Lopes, J. do V., Vieira, A. M., Araújo, E. de, Melo, V. L. B. C. de, Seabra, F. P., Santos, A., Barancelli, R. D., Boás, T. C., Rocha, H. A. A., & Nepomuceno, B. de A. (2024). Tendências narcisistas: uma análise do transtorno de personalidade narcisista na era das redes sociais. Brazilian Journal of Implantology and Health Sciences, 6(6), 365–374. https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2024v6n6p365-374
Alshakhsi, S., Babiker, A., Montag, C., & Ali, R. (2023). On the association between personality, fear of missing out (FoMO) and problematic social media use tendencies in European and Arabian samples. Acta Psychologica, 240, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.104026
Andreassen, C. S. (2015). Online social network site addiction: a comprehensive review. Springer Nature, 2, 175-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-015-0056-9
Andreassen, C. S., Pallesen, S., & Griffiths, D. A. (2017). The relationship between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self-esteem: Findings from a large national survey. Elsevier: Addictive Behaviors, 64, 287-293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.03.006
Andreassen, C. S., Pallesen, S., & Griffiths, D. A. (2017). The relationship between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self-esteem: Findings from a large national survey. Elsevier: Addictive Behaviors, 64, 287-293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.03.006
Anjum, S., Kanwal, S., & Mughal, B. (2024). Narcissism fear of missing out and phubbing the moderating role of mindfulness. Research in Social Sciences, 3(3), 365-375. https://doi.org/10.58329/criss.v3i3.158
Back, M. D., Kufner, A. C. P., Dufner, M., Gerlach, T. M., Rauthmann, J. F., & Denissen, J. J. A. (2013). Narcissistic admiration and rivalry: Disentangling the bright and dark sides of narcissism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 105(6), 1013-1037. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034431
Back, M. D., Kufner, A. C. P., Dufner, M., Gerlach, T. M., Rauthmann, J. F., & Denissen, J. J. A. (2013). Narcissistic admiration and rivalry: Disentangling the bright and dark sides of narcissism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 105(6), 1013-1037. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034431
Bahar, R., & Villi, B. (2023). Hedonik tüketim ile gelişmeleri kaçırma korkusu (fomo) arasındaki llişkinin lncelenmesi: z kuşağı tüketiciler uzerine bir araştırma. Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli Üniversitesi SBE Dergisi, 13(1), 588–607. https://doi.org/10.30783/nevsosbilen.1230186
Brailovskaia, J., Rohmann, E., Bierhoff, H. W., & Margraf, J. (2020). The anxious addictive narcissist: The relationship between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, anxiety symptoms and Facebook Addiction. Plos One, 15(11), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241632
Casale, S., & Banchi, V. (2020). Narcissism and problematic social media use: A systematic literature review. ELSEVIER: Addictibe Behaviors Reports, 11, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2020.100252
Cheng, C., Lau, Y.C., Chan, L., & Luk, J. W. (2021). Prevalence of social media addiction across 32 nations: Meta-analysis with subgroup analysis of classification schemes and cultural values. Addictive Behaviors, 117, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106845
Day, N., Townsend, M. L., & Grenyer, B. F. (2020). Living with pathological narcissism: a qualitative study Living with pathological narcissism: a qualitative study. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation 7, 1-14.
Einstein, D. A., Dabb, C., & Fraser, M. (2023). FoMO, but not self-compassion, moderates the link between social media use and anxiety in adolescence. Australian Journal of Psychology, 75(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049530.2023.2217961
Elkatmis, M. (2024). Examination of social media usage habits of generation Z. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1370823
Fazria, N., Firman, & Netrawati. (2024). Fear of missing out (FOMO) pada remaja pengguna media sosial: studi pendahuluan. Jurnal Pendidikan Sosial dan Konseling,3(3), 1193-1202. https://doi.org/10.47233/jpdsk.v2i3
Fegan, R. B., & Bland, A. R. (2021). Social media use and vulnerable narcissism: the differential roles of oversensitivity and egocentricity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(17), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179172
Giancola, M., Perazzini, M., Bontempo, D., Perilli, E., & D’Amico, S. (2024). Narcissism and problematic social media use: a moderated mediation analysis of fear of missing out and trait mindfulness in youth. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 41(14), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2411468
Goldman, I., Davis, C. H., & Clark, R. A. (2025). Exploring subjective sociocultural understandings of “fear of missing out” (FoMO) and the unsettled self in a time of deep mediatization. Sage Journals, 27(1), 480-501. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448231177966
Gopakumar, S., & Dananjayan, M. P. (2024). FOMOphobia: the psychological drivers of OTT media consumption through social comparison, self-esteem, and anxiety. IGI Global: Scientific Publishing, Publishing Tomorrow’s Research Today, 161–184. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0116-6.ch010
Gorbis, E., Gorbis, A., & Mandava, N. (2024). Social phobia: diagnosis and treatment. Case Reports and Reviews, 4(2), 1-3. https://doi.org/10.33425/2693-1516.1036
Gosain, P., & Yadav, K. (2020). A study on social media usage and fear of missing out (FOMO) among youngsters. Journal of Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities, 6(2), 76-87. http://www.jssshonline.com/
Greenwood, D. N., Archer, Q., Ash, S., & Keenan, J. (2025). Connecting the dots between narcissism and fame appeal: the role of imaginary audience fantasies. Current Issues in Personality Psychology, 13(3), 202-210. https://doi.org/10.5114/cipp/197263
Gültekin, Z. (2023). Sosyal medyada gelişmeleri kaçırma korkusunun (fomo) tükenmişliğe etkisi: z kuşağı uzerine bir araştırma. Özgür Yayınları. 129-150. https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub224.c972
Harmony Healthcare IT. (2025, July). State of gen z mental health. Harmony Healthcare IT. https://www.harmonyhit.com/state-of-gen-z-mental-health/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Hartanto, A., Wong, J., Lua, V. Y. Q., Tng, G. Y. Q., Kasturiratna, K., & Majeed, N. M. (2022). A daily diary investigation of the fear of missing out and diminishing daily emotional well-being: the moderating role of cognitive reappraisal. Psychological Reports, 127 (3), 1117-1155. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941221135476
Jabeen, F., & Gerristsen, C., & Treus, j. (2020). Narcissism and fame: a complex network model for the adaptive interaction of digital narcissism and online popularity. Applied Network Science,5, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41109-020-00319-6
Jabeen, F., & Gerristsen, C., & Treus, J. (2020). Narcissism and fame: a complex network model for the adaptive interaction of digital narcissism and online popularity. Applied Network Science,5, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41109-020-00319-6
Jaoude, E. A., Naylor, K. T., & Pignatiello, A. (2020). Smartphones, social media use and youth mental health. Analysis Mental Health, 192(6), 136-141. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.190434
Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: the influence of social media on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adolescents. Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. 25(1), 79-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851
Kong, F., Wang, M., Zhang, X., Li, X., & Sun, X. (2021). Vulnerable narcisissm in social networking sites: the role of upward and downward social comparisons. Frotiers in Psychology: The Mediating Role of Social Comparisons, 12, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.711909
Kullolli, T., & Trebicka, B. (2023). Generation z and the evolution of social media: a two-decade Analysis of impact and usage trends. Interdisciplinary Journal of Research and Development, 10 (3), 77- 83. https://doi.org/10.56345/ijrdv10n311
Kurniawan, R., & Utami, R. H. (2022). Validation of online fear of missing out (ON-FoMO) scale in indonesian version. Journal Neo Konseling, 4(3), 1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.24036/00651kons2022
Liao, C.-P., Wu, C., & Chen, C. (2025). Necessary Conditions in Social Media Addiction: Identifying Key Antecedents. Psychological Reports, 110 (2), 501-516. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941241312314
Lin, J. (2025). Social media advertising has a negative psychological effect on gen z: it needs improvement. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences, 171(1), 117–124. https://doi.org/10.54254/2754-1169/2025.22090
Maftei, A., & Pătrăușanu, A. M. (2023). Digital reflections: narcissism, stress, social media addiction, and nomophobia. The Journal of Psychology, 158 (2), 147 –160. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2023.2256453
Mangerongkoda, D. J., Hartika, L. D., & Levi, Y. (2024). Hubungan Antara Fear of Missing Out dan Social Media Addiction Generasi Z. Journal Kesehatan, Sains, dan Teknologi (JAKASAKTI), 3(2), 156–163. https://doi.org/10.36002/js.v3i2.3145
Mert, M., & Tengilimoglu, D. (2023). The mediating role of FoMO and the moderating role of narcissism in the impact of social exclusion on compulsive buying: a cross‑cultural study. Psicologia: Reflexao a Criteria, 36(33), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41155-023-00274-y
Moore, K., & Craciun, G. (2021). Fear of missing out and personality as predictors of social networking sites usage: the instagram case. Psychological Reports, 124(4), 1761–1787. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294120936184
Muttaqin, D., Tanuwijaya, V. A., Kylila, A., Bisowarno, E. P. K., Soegianto, E. K., & Agatha, T. (2023). Adaptation and validation of the indonesia version of the narcissistic admiration and rivalry questionnaire. JP3I (Jurnal Pengukuran Psikologi dan Pendidikan Indonesia), 12(1), 48-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.15408/jp3i.v10i1.21945
Nurhasanah, A. (2024). Fenomena fomo (fear of missing out) pada masyarakat perkotaan di indonesia. Mandalika: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan dan Bahasa, 2(2), 263-272. https://doi.org/10.59613/jipb.v2i2.199
Rafeekh, R., Sreerakuvandana, S., & Kumar, G. S. U. (2025). Digital age and mental health. Advances in Psychology, Mental Health, and Behavioral Studies (APMHBS) Book Series, 51–78. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-8709-2.ch003
Runcan, R., Rad, D., Runcan, P., & Maduta, C. (2023). A network analysis approach toward adaptive overt narcissism network. Behav.Sci, 13, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13060468
Saleem, N., Farrukh, M., & Sadiq, S. (2023). Grandiose narcissism and social media usage: An exploratory study using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 7(1), 334–343.
Serrano, M. T. (2020). Fear of missing out (FoMO) y el uso de Instagram: analisis de las relaciones entre narcisismo y autoestima. Aloma, 38(1), 31-38. https://dau.url.edu/handle/20.500.14342/2019
Servidio, R., Griffiths, M. D., & Demetrovics, Z. (2021). Dark triad of personality and problematic smartphone use: a preliminary study on the mediating role of fear of missing out. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH18168463
Sette, C. P., Lima, M. R. S., Queluz, F.N.R., Ferrari, B. L. & Hauck, B. (2019). The online fear of missing out inventory (ON-FoMO): development and validation of a new tool. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, (2), 20-29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-019-00110-0
Sette, C. P., Lima, M. R. S., Queluz, F.N.R., Ferrari, B. L. & Hauck, B. (2019). The online fear of missing out inventory (ON-FoMO): development and validation of a new tool. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science, (2), 20-29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-019-00110-0
Shehab, A. H. I., Ciubară, A. B., Burlea, Ş. L., Carina, V. D., Grigoraş, M. L., Buicu, C. F., & Ciubară, A. B. (2025). From Instagram to tiktok: How social media fuels eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and Insomnia in gen z. European Psychiatry, 68(1), 380–381. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.797
Sultan, A. J. (2021). Fear of missing out and self-disclosure on social media: the paradox of tie strength and social media addiction among young users. Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers, 22(4), 555–577. https://doi.org/10.1108/YC-10-2020-1233
Sumaryati, I. U., Agustin, D., Sirodj, N., & Gadama, M. (2024). Adapatasi indonesia Bergen social media addiction scale. Jurnal Psikogenesis, 12(1), 10-18. https://doi.org/10.24854/jps.v12i1.3994
The Cybersmile Foundation. (2025, June 20). How social media affects gen z: digital wellbeing 2025 report. Cybersmile. https://www.cybersmile.org/2025/06/20/how-social-media-affects-gen-z-digital-wellbeing-2025-report/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Usman, D. M., Syihab, A., & Dharma, A. S. (2024). Role of narcissism on problematic social media use in emerging adulthood instagram users. Research Synergy Foundation Conference Proceeding Series, 4(3), 25-30. https://doi.org/10.31098/bmss.v4i3.908
Weaver, J. L., & Swank. J. M. (2020). An examination of college student’s social media use, fear of missing out, and mindful attention. Journal of College Counseling, 24, 132-145. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocc.12181
Yıldırımer, K. Ş., & Yentür, D. B. (2024). Fomo in modern societies: digital addiction and its psychological-sociological effects. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research, 7(11), 8726-8743. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijsshr/v7-i11-80
Zhang, K., Ma’rof, A. A., & Azam, M. N. D. (2024). The impact of social comparison, fomo, cyberbullying, and social media addiction on social anxiety among malaysian youth. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 14(12), 1067- 1082. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v14-i12/24045
Zulfa, D. A., & Kartasasmita, A. (2024). Peran fear of missing out (FoMO) sebagai moderator antara kesejahteraan subjektif dengan narsisme pada dewasa muda pengguna instagram. Reslaj: Religion Education Social Laa Roiba Journal. 6(3), 1916-1929. https://doi.org/10.47467/reslaj.v6i4.1218
Copyright (c) 2026 Dema Ramadhani, Arthur Huwae
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right to first publication, with the work simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution that allows the sharing of articles published with the acknowledgement of authorship and the initial publication in this magazine.
2) The authors are authorized to make additional contracts separately for distribution of the version of the work published in this journal (for example, publication in an institutional repository or as a chapter of the book), as long as there is recognition of authorship and initial publication in this journal.
3) Authors are authorized and encouraged to publish and distribute their work online (for example, in institutional repositories or on their personal pages) at any time before or during the editorial process, as it increases the impact and reference of the published work.
