Author: Dr. Bhavika Nathani

Abstract
Purpose: The ubiquity of social media platforms (SMPs) has amplified the mental difficulties encountered by users, particularly the occurrences of Fear of Missing out (FOMO) and digital exhaustion. Although previous studies have examined these concepts in isolation, understanding how these two phenomena interact is still lacking, especially through the mediating roles of narcissistic traits and platform behaviours. This study investigates how FOMO, influenced by underlying stimuli such as time cost and anxiety, contributes to SMP fatigue through narcissistic admiration, rivalry, self-disclosure, and social comparison behaviours. Design/methodology/approach: 310 adult SMP users in India took part in a cross-sectional study that was administered using Prolific Academic. The interactions between factors, such as FOMO stimuli, narcissistic dimensions (respect and competition), and SMP behaviours including self-disclosure and social comparison, were examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings: Research outcomes indicate that FOMO is significantly elicited by anxiety and time-related cost, which in turn, activates both narcissistic admiration and rivalry traits. These narcissistic dimensions influence SMP behaviours differently: social comparison was discovered to exert a significantly positive influence effect on digital exhaustion, whereas self-disclosure did not show a similar impact. The study offers announced comprehension of the ways in which behaviours and psychological characteristics interact in the digital world. Research limitations/ implications: Social desirability bias may have an impact on the cross-sectional, self-reported dataset utilised for the analysis. Additionally, the study’s geographic focus limits generalizability beyond the Indian adult population. Practical implications: These results have significant impacts for mental health practitioners, educators, and platform designers. By identifying FOMO stimuli and the behavioural consequences of narcissistic traits, this study can help develop interventions and platform designs that reduce user fatigue and promote healthier engagement with social media. Originality/value: This research expands the current literature by offering a novel, integrative pathway that connects FOMO, narcissistic traits, SMP behaviours, and fatigue. It enhances theoretical understanding while offering actionable insights for balanced technology use strategies in the age of hyper connectivity.

Published in:  Journal of Global Information and Business Strategy (JGIBS), January-December 2025 (Volume-17, Number-1, 2025)

Keyword: Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) | Social Media Fatigue | Narcissism | Social Comparison | Self-Disclosure | Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) | Digital Well-being | Social Media Behaviour | Anxiety | Time Cost | Social Networking Sites (SNS)

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