The Impact of Smartphone Addiction, Phubbing, and Fear of Missing Out on Social Co-operation and Life Satisfaction Among University Students

Abstract The pervasive use of digital devices has profoundly impacted social relationships and interpersonal interactions. The present study explored the associations between the fear of missing out (FoMO), smartphone addiction (SPA), and phubbing with social cooperation and life satisfaction. The associations between FoMO, SPA, phubbing, social cooperation, and life satisfaction were examined within the self-determination theory framework among university students in Türkiye. The study was conducted among 640 university students in Türkiye, which is relevant given the importance that collectivist cultures place on social connectedness and face-to-face interactions. Using structural equation modeling, the study found strong positive relationships between FoMO, SPA, and phubbing. The study specifically hypothesized and found that FoMO correlated with increased phubbing via SPA, which was associated with disrupted face-to-face interactions. The results also showed that phubbing negatively correlated with social cooperation and life satisfaction, indicating a weaker link between these two factors. Moreover, social cooperation was strongly associated with life satisfaction, highlighting the importance of social cooperation for individual life satisfaction. The findings suggest that promoting social activities and face-to-face interactions may help mitigate the associations between phubbing, SPA, and their potential adverse outcomes.