Problematic social media use and social media self-presentation: Roles of fear of missing out, digital aesthetics, and sex
Current Psychology, cilt.45, sa.12, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 45 Sayı: 12
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s12144-026-09669-3
- Dergi Adı: Current Psychology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, BIOSIS, Psycinfo, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: FoMO, Digital aesthetics, Problematic social media use, Social media self-presentation
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study examined the effects of problematic social media use (PSMU) on online self-presentation, with fear of missing out (FoMO) and digital aesthetics as sequential mediating factors, and sex as a contingent moderator. Grounded in self-determination and social comparison theories, the research aims to explain how psychological and aesthetic mechanisms jointly contribute to the construction and management of individuals’ digital identities. Data were obtained from a large sample of college students representing a diverse demographic background (M = 28.69, SD = 9.92, aged 18 to 60, 314 Females). Correlation analyses revealed strong and positive relationships among PSMU, FoMO, digital aesthetics, and online self-presentation. Mediation analyses indicated that PSMU has not only a direct effect on self-presentation but also an indirect effect through the sequential effects of FoMO and digital aesthetics. The moderated mediation analysis showed that sex significantly influenced the indirect pathway through digital aesthetics, and that aesthetic self-presentation processes were more pronounced among female users. These findings highlight the complex interplay between addictive social media use, affective-cognitive factors, and aesthetic motivations, offering new insights into how individuals navigate identity, belonging, and self-expression in digital environments. Implications for understanding sex-specific online behavioral patterns and directions for future research are discussed.