THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE AND FoMO ON FUNCTIONING IN PATIENTS WITH GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER AND MAJOR DEPRESSION

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the relationship between social media use, fear of missing out (FoMO), and functionality in individuals diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression (MD). Additionally, it aims to compare the direct and indirect effects of FoMO on functionality in patients and healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study examined 163 young adults (aged 18–33), including 84 patients diagnosed with GAD and/or MD, and 79 healthy controls. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the following assessments: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMO), and the Functional Assessment Short Test (FAST). Social media usage durations were measured using objective smartphone data. Data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U tests, Spearman’s correlation, hierarchical regression, and mediation analyses. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, FoMO (p=.007), depression (p