Digital Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Disclosure, and Fear of Missing Out Among Thai Generation Z: A Cross-Sectional PLS-SEM Study

Fear of missing out (FOMO) has become an important digital mental health concern among Generation Z, a population highly engaged with social media and online interaction. This study examined the associations among digital intelligence, emotional intelligence, self-disclosure, and FOMO among Generation Z individuals in Thailand. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from December 2025 to January 2026. Data were collected from 322 participants using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results showed that digital intelligence was positively associated with FOMO, whereas emotional intelligence and self-disclosure were not significantly associated with FOMO. Self-disclosure did not mediate the associations between emotional intelligence, digital intelligence, and FOMO. However, the measurement model showed acceptable internal consistency but limited convergent validity, as average variance extracted values were below the conventional threshold for all constructs. Therefore, the structural findings should be interpreted as preliminary and exploratory. The positive association between digital intelligence and FOMO may reflect greater exposure to online social activity, social comparison, or possible overlap between the constructs, rather than a harmful effect of digital intelligence itself. These findings contribute initial evidence from Thailand but should not be used alone to guide public health practice or policy. Future studies should refine the measurement instruments, examine individual dimensions of digital intelligence, and confirm the observed relationships using stronger psychometric and longitudinal designs.