Role of Nomophobia: Relationship between Fear of Missing Out and Insomnia among Adults

Description

Page: 27-33

Bhumika Bhalla and Greeshma Rajgopal (Department of Psychology, Christ (Deemed to be) University, Delhi NCR)

The pervasive integration of digital technology into daily life has raised concerns about its psychological and physical impacts, including the emergence of “digital diseases” like nomophobia and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). These conditions are increasingly linked to reduced sleep quality and insomnia. This correlational study examines the relationship between FoMO, nomophobia, and insomnia symptoms among full-time professionals aged 20 to 64 from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Participants were divided into young adults (20-35 years) and middle-aged adults (36-64 years) with excessive smartphone or social media usage. Using purposive sampling, participants were recruited through targeted social media advertisements and completed validated online surveys measuring FoMO, nomophobia, and insomnia severity. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between FoMO and insomnia symptoms in middle-aged adults, suggesting that elevated FoMO levels are associated with sleep disturbances. However, nomophobia did not mediate this relationship, underscoring the complex interplay between these variables. While the study highlights the detrimental effects of FoMO on sleep health, its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data limit the generalizability of the results. Future research should employ longitudinal designs and objective measures to deepen understanding and develop interventions to mitigate the impact of digital dependence on sleep.