Individual differences in adolescents' digital well-being: How perceived stress, fear of missing out, and self-control interact in daily life

In the digital age, maintaining a balance between digital device use and real-life activities is increasingly important for adolescents. While numerous studies have been preoccupied with problematic digital behaviors, fewer have examined the co-occurrence of both positive and negative digital experiences. This study addresses this gap by investigating the mechanisms underlying the relationship between perceived stress and digital well-being, encompassing both benefits and drawbacks obtained from mobile connectivity. Using a 14-day daily diary design with 192 adolescents (2435 daily reports), the study examines the relationship between perceived stress and digital well-being and mediating role of fear of missing out and the moderating role of self-control in this relationship. Multilevel modelling revealed that daily perceived stress was negatively associated with adolescent's daily digital well-being, with daily fear of missing out serving as a mediator in this relationship. Furthermore, trait self-control moderated the relationship between daily fear of missing out and daily digital well-being. These results revealed the underlying mechanisms through which perceived stress impacts digital experiences, offering valuable insights into promoting healthier digital engagement and addressing maladaptive behaviors in the digital era.