Gender Differences in Fear of Missing out Experiences among Undergraduate Students in Oman

Mohammed   Ghalib   Qutishat

doi:10.2174/0250688202002022003

Abstract

Background: Students with Fear of missing out (FOMO) are profoundly connected and updated with others via constant social media connections to satisfy their needs and self-recognition. They use social media platforms to build new relationships, belong to some social group, remain fully informed, and fulfill their affiliation needs, which can increase their urge to spend more time visiting other people’s profiles and comparing their life achievements with others. Thus, this study has been conceptualized to investigate gender differences of FOMO experiences among undergraduate students in Oman.

Methods: A descriptive correlational and cross-sectional study design was chosen to achieve the research purpose among Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) undergraduate students. The total sample was 339. The experiences of fear of missing out were measured by using the Fear of Missing Out scale. The items were measured on a 5-point Likert-scale ranging from (“not at all true of me”) (“extremely true of me”).

Results: The mean age was approximately 21.56 years. Our study shows a homogeneous gender variation (female 50.15% (n=170), and male 49.85% (n=169). However, the majority of the participants were single (93.5%), lived out-campus (56%), and in their 5th academic year (33.92%).

Males scored higher fear of missing out than females 24.8693 and 22.829, respectively, the results of this study possess a significant gender differences in the experiences of fear of missing out (p = 0.009).

Conclusion: The university students surveyed, experienced a moderate level of FOMO. However, males scored a higher level of fear of missing out than females. They focus more on expanding social connections compared to females. Factors such as culture, norms, and self-image may play a role in experiencing FOMO, more studies are required in that claim.

Keywords: Academic year, Demographic data, Gender differences, Homogeneous gender variation, Psychological dependency, Social connection.