Worrying about the consequences of missing group activities, especially when they involve social bonding, heightens the “fear of missing out,” or FOMO, according to new research from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
FOMO is the perception that others are living more fulfilling lives or having more fun, and it has gained attention with the rise of activity on social media platforms. As many as 69% of Americans have experienced a fear of missing out at some point in their lives, according to a study by OnePoll.
The study found that a fear of missing out is driven by worries about possible negative impacts on future relationships, such that one’s friends will withdraw or even purposely exclude them. They also found that those who already possess social anxiety were particularly vulnerable.
The researchers also find that FOMO stems from missing opportunities to bond with valued social groups, not with strangers or irrelevant social groups.
“FOMO is not about the missed event per se: If we miss a group dinner at a restaurant, we’re not really upset about the missed food and drink. What we’re upset about is the fact that we missed the chance to bond, connect and make memories.” FOMO,” said Jacqueline Rifkin, assistant professor at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management and co-author of “” which published Oct. 18 in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Rifkin’s co-authors include Cindy Chan, assistant professor at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto; and Barbara Kahn, professor at the Wharton School. In a series of seven experiments involving more than 5,000 people, they observed real, recalled and imagined FOMO when people miss such events as concerts, retreats or general social gatherings.
One experiment found that if you miss a big event such as a concert from your favorite performer, but your social group isn’t there, that triggers some FOMO, but not very much. The FOMO is amplified by the prospect of your social group being there.
Similarly, another experiment found that if you miss a special event with friends, but they didn’t do much social bonding, such as if the event was very individualized or focused on solo meditation, this also wouldn’t trigger much FOMO.
At the same time, it meant that missed events that are unpleasant but involve a lot of social bonding – completing a stressful initiation challenge or consoling a sad friend – can trigger quite a bit of FOMO.
The study revealed that being unable to partake in social bonding with people who matter to us creates anxieties about negative ramifications for relationships. One study found that witnessing friends connecting, making memories, or getting closer to one another on social media plants seeds of worry. The person who missed out may fear they are viewed as not involved enough or not able to keep up, and that they may someday be excluded from the group altogether.
Based on the knowledge from the studies, the researchers believe there are ways to combat FOMO.
One experiment found that, after seeing social missed posts of missed social events, those who spent a moment reflecting on prior bonding experiences did not experience nearly as much FOMO. “This suggests that reminding oneself of the meaningful relationships we already have can help mitigate the anxiety surrounding missing out,” Rifkin said.
The researchers also found that people with higher levels of social anxiety or a greater need for social connection are more prone to experiencing FOMO. These individuals are more likely to worry excessively about the social costs of missing events, which can lead to compulsive behaviors such as constantly checking social media for updates. Continuously checking on what others are doing on social media can create a perception that one’s peers are constantly engaging in socially bonding activities, further intensifying feelings of anxiety.
“FOMO has significant implications for mental health. It has been linked to reduced well-being, compulsive smartphone use, and even distracted driving,” Rifkin said. Addressing FOMO is crucial in the context of the ongoing mental health crisis and the so-called “loneliness epidemic,” she said.
The research suggests that FOMO is not just a phenomenon affecting young social media users; it can impact anyone in a valued social group. This insight broadens a common understanding of FOMO and highlights the importance of social bonding. By identifying what specifically triggers and amplifies FOMO, this research paves the way for future research to design and test coping techniques and strategies.
“Developing strategies that help us challenge our beliefs about the negative consequences of missing out could potentially help,” Rifkin said. “For instance, based on our results, encouraging individuals to engage in mindfulness practices and focus on the strong relationships we currently have could be one way to stave off FOMO. Ultimately, reminding ourselves that we belong, and not getting carried away with what could happen to us, can help.”
Sarah Magnus-Sharpe is director of public relations and communications in the SC Johnson College of Business.
