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Journal of behavioral addictions
Mar 28, 2025;14 (1): 405-415.

More boring, more craving for smartphone use? The moderating role of fear of missing out.

Xiaohan Shi, Yingyu Xu, Ze Liu, Gengfeng Niu, Xiaojun Sun, Kunpeng Li
Author Information
  1. Xiaohan Shi: 1School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China. ORCID
  2. Yingyu Xu: 4Wuhan Liangdaojie Middle School, Wuhan 430079, China.
  3. Ze Liu: 5Jiayu No.2 Middle School, Xianning 437200, China.
  4. Gengfeng Niu: 1School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China. ORCID
  5. Xiaojun Sun: 1School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China. ORCID
  6. Kunpeng Li: 1School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China.
PMID: 39969516 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2025.00009

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the influence of state boredom on craving for smartphone use, as well as the potential moderating effect of individual differences - fear of missing out (FoMO).
Methods: A total of 112 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to either low or high state boredom groups. Participants completed a reference copying task along with assessments for state boredom, craving for smartphone use, and FoMO.
Results: The results indicated that: (1) Participants in the high state boredom group reported higher levels of background craving for smartphone use; (2) The FoMO moderated the association between state boredom and background craving for smartphone use significantly, which was stronger for individuals with a higher level of FoMO.
Discussion: This study broadened the research by focusing on the influences of boredom and the mechanism of smartphone use craving and problematic phone use, which could provide guidance for the intervention of craving, and healthy smartphone use.

Keywords

background craving for smartphone use fear of missing out healthy smartphone use reference copying task state boredom

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MeSH Term

Humans
Male
Female
Craving
Young Adult
Fear
Boredom
Adult
Students
Smartphone
Internet Addiction Disorder
Adolescent
Individuality
Universities
Journal Article Randomized Controlled Trial

Word Cloud

Created with Highcharts 10.0.0usecravingsmartphoneboredomstateFoMOfearmissingbackgroundstudymoderatinghighParticipantsreferencecopyingtaskhigherAim:aimedexamineinfluencewellpotentialeffectindividualdifferences-Methods:total112undergraduatestudentsrandomlyassignedeitherlowgroupscompletedalongassessmentsResults:resultsindicatedthat:1group reportedlevels2moderatedassociationsignificantlystrongerindividualslevelDiscussion:broadenedresearchfocusinginfluencesmechanismproblematicphoneprovideguidanceinterventionhealthyboringuse?roleouthealthy smartphone

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