Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Emotion Regulation in Relation to Self-esteem among School Children

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23492787

Sana Fatma and Asma Parveen (Department of Psychology, AMU, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh)

In recent years, social media has significantly transformed human interaction and communication. As digital exposure becomes increasingly integral to children’s lives, constant use of social media platforms can lead to feelings of exclusion and comparison. This study examines the association among Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), Emotion Regulation, and Self-esteem among schoolchildren. Fear of Missing Out is associated with the belief that others experience more attractive events and more rewarding situations than the individual misses out on by not engaging with the media. Emotion Regulation is the ability to recognize and manage emotional events, which is essential for adaptive psychological functioning and responding to external stressors. Self-esteem is a subjective evaluation of oneself that encompasses feelings about one’s skills, characteristics, and accomplishments. The study aims to understand how these components interact and contribute to children’s total self-esteem in a digitally associated setting, with a focus on how emotional coping affects children’s sense of self in the face of increasing digital exposure. A survey method was employed, comprising approximately 100 schoolchildren in Grades 9-12. Measuring tools such as Fear of Missing Out Scale (FOMOS), developed by Przybylski in 2013, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), developed by Rosenberg in 1965, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), developed by Gross and John in 2003, were used in this study. Results were derived from statistical correlational and regression analyses. The findings of the research will provide parents, teachers, and mental health specialists for creating interventions that support children’s responsible media use, emotional resilience, and positive self-esteem.