# A brief report on making meaning of FoMO: post-Covid mental health and wellbeing in Minority Serving Institute

## TL;DR

This study explores how Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) affects mental health and wellbeing in the post-pandemic era, finding it linked to anxiety and depression.

## Contribution

The study reveals FoMO's significant association with mental health issues despite no links to demographic or behavioral factors.

## Key findings

- FoMO positively correlates with anxiety and depression (r = 0.384 and 0.345, respectively).
- Higher FoMO scores are linked to lower perceived improvements in mental, emotional, and social wellbeing post-Covid.
- FoMO does not correlate with demographic or behavioral characteristics like gender or online activity.

## Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) remains critical in the post-pandemic era, as societies gain access to myriad forms of being connected. This study examined online and offline behaviors, mental health, FoMO, and Post-Pandemic Lifestyle Changes Inventory in 129 anonymous online users aged 18–64 (M = 27.43, SD = 10.941, 14.7% male vs. 85.3% female). FoMO showed a significant positive correlation with anxiety (r = 0.384, p < 0.001) and depression (r = 0.345, p < 0.001), while no significant links were found between FoMO and sample characteristics (i.e., education level, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, ethnicity, online, or offline behavior). Higher FoMO scores correlated with less perceived improvement in mental, emotional, social, professional, and financial domains post-Covid-19, indicating a potential barrier to overall life satisfaction. Findings highlight the need for further research into the psychosocial implications and complexities of media use in the context of pandemic-driven lifestyle changes.