Third party funded individual grant
Start date : 12.04.2022
End date : 12.04.2023
The project focuses on digital stress at work caused by the fear of missing out (FoMO). Digital media offers flexibility but can also be a source of stress due to constant availability, information overload, and distraction. FoMO is associated with problematic media use. The study examines the causes of FoMO and its impact on well-being and work. Two motivating factors, the need for belongingness and achievement, may influence FoMO. There is limited research on FoMO in the workplace. The goal is to develop interventions to reduce digital stress.
The project focuses on the topic of digital stress at work due to the fear of missing out (FoMO). Digital media has become an integral part of both personal and professional life, offering flexibility and accessibility. However, the use of digital media can also lead to stress, with constant availability being a significant factor. Other factors such as information overload, negative physiological effects, distraction, and technological issues can contribute to digital stress. The fear of missing out (FoMO) is a psychological construct that has been linked to problematic media use and addictive behaviors. The research project highlights the need for research to understand the underlying causes of FoMO and its relationship with digital stress in the workplace. Two important motivational factors, the need for belongingness and the need for achievement, are proposed as potential contributors to FoMO. Existing studies on FoMO have primarily focused on student samples and leisure contexts, lacking research on FoMO in the workplace and its impact on work-related media use. Hence, a two-study approach to address these research gaps are conducted. Study 1 aims to identify psychological predictors of FoMO at work and examine their effects on employee well-being, job attitudes, and communication patterns. Study 2 builds upon Study 1 to investigate the role of FoMO in the development of digital stress, considering objective digital stressors, problematic media use, and associated stress phenomena. The abstract emphasizes the importance of understanding FoMO and its implications for designing interventions to mitigate digital stress at both individual and organizational levels.