A Research Proposal: Gender Differences in the Experience and Impact of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Authors

• Valeria Garcia, St. Mary's University
• Yesenia De Leon, St. Mary's University

Files

Contributor

Hampsten, Katherine (Faculty Mentor)

Digital Publisher

Digital Commons at St. Mary's University

Publication Date

Spring 2026

Keywords

Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), Anxiety, Social Media, Gender differences, Impact

Description

Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) is the anxiety individuals feel when they believe others are having rewarding experiences without them, a feeling that has increased with the rise of social media. Constant exposure to others' curated lives can lead to social comparison, increased social media use, and negative outcomes such as decreased academic focus and poorer mental health. Research suggests that FoMO may be experienced differently across genders due to differences in social expectations and online behaviors. For example, women may be more likely to engage in social comparison and seek validation, while men may use social media for different social or instrumental purposes. This study examines gender differences in the experience and impact of FoMO among college students using a quantitative approach, with the goal of understanding how FoMO influences behavior and well-being.

Format

PDF

Size

1 poster

City

San Antonio, Texas

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.