The Relationship Between Personality Traits and Phubbing in Generation Z Students: The Mediating Role of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) in the relationship between personality traits and phubbing. Methods and Materials: This research was a cross-sectional study and examined the fit of a structural equation modeling (SEM) framework, analyzing correlations and relationships among variables within a causal model. The statistical population included all Generation Z students (born between 1997 and 2012) enrolled at Islamic Azad University branches in Tehran during the first half of 2024. A total of 556 participants were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. Data collection tools included the Generic Scale of Phubbing (Chotpitayasunondh & Douglas, 2018), the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1985), and the Fear of Missing Out Scale (Przybylski et al., 2013). Findings: The results indicated that the direct path coefficient between the personality traits of conscientiousness (β = −0.354, p = .001) and extraversion (β = −0.134, p = .001) with phubbing was negative and significant. In contrast, the direct path coefficient between neuroticism and phubbing (β = 0.290, p = .001) was positive and significant. Additionally, the path coefficient between FoMO and phubbing (β = 0.219, p = .001) was positive and significant. The indirect path between conscientiousness and phubbing through FoMO (β = −0.045, p = .001), as well as the indirect path between neuroticism and phubbing through FoMO (β = 0.085, p = .001), were also significant. Conclusion: It was concluded that Fear of Missing Out negatively mediates the relationship between conscientiousness and phubbing, and positively mediates the relationship between neuroticism and phubbing in Generation Z students. It is recommended that educational programs be designed to raise students’ awareness regarding the negative impacts of FoMO and phubbing.