Pengaruh Emotional Dysregulation terhadap Problematic Smartphone Use melalui Fear of Missing Out pada Dewasa Awal

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is common among young adults and may disrupt academic performance, productivity, and health. Difficulties in emotion regulation are assumed to contribute to PSU, with fear of missing out (FoMO) as a possible mechanism linking the two. This study examined the effect of emotional dysregulation on PSU and the mediating role of FoMO among young adults in Indonesia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 376 respondents aged 18–25 years, recruited through convenience sampling. Emotional dysregulation, FoMO, and PSU were measured using the Indonesian versions of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form, the Fear of Missing Out Scale, and the Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version. Data were analyzed using mediation analysis in JASP. Emotional dysregulation had a positive and significant total effect on PSU, partly mediated by FoMO, which accounted for about 52.5% of the total effect while the direct effect remained significant. FoMO also positively predicted PSU. These findings suggest that interventions for PSU among young adults should address emotion regulation and FoMO simultaneously.