Need to belong and fear of missing out as predictors of social media engagement intensity among adolescents

• Main Author: Nagong, Marselinus
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2023
• Subjects: Adolescence—Psychological aspects; Social networks; Social media; Counseling; Social Media
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdm_counseling/17; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etdm_counseling/article/1015/viewcontent/2024_Nagong_Fulltext_Redacted.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Concerns have been raised about the influence of adolescents' increased social media engagement in recent years on their psychological well-being. As adolescents' use of social media increase, it is critical to examine the various factors that may contribute to the intensity and detrimental effects of their use. This quantitative study aimed to investigate the extent to which the Need To Belong (NTB) and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) predict adolescents' social media engagement intensity using a framework of the Need to Belong Theory. Seven hundred eighty two Filipino adolescents ranging in age from 16 to 18 years and enrolled in grades 11 and 12 completed the Need to Belong Scale, Fear of Missing Out Scale, and Social Media Engagement Scale for Adolescents online. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that NTB positively predicted behavioral (ß= 0.12, p = 0.001; ß = 0. 09, p = 0.001), cognitive (ß = 0.13, p = 0.001), and affective (ß = 0. 09, p = 0.001; ß = 0. 03, p = 0.05) social media engagements. Similarly, FOMO also predicted SME on behavioral (= 0.04, p = 0.001), cognitive (= 0.06, p = 0.001), and affective (= 0.09, p = 0.001) aspects. The current study may be a precursor to further investigations on the theoretical implications for current literature as well as practical implications for counselors and other mental health providers, educators, parents, and peers. Keywords: Need to belong, fear of missing out, social media engagement, multiple regression