The study, published in the International Journal of Education and Psychological Science (IJEPS) Volume 4 Number 3, 2026, found a significant relationship between the quality of peer relationships and FoMO anxiety among adolescents. FoMO refers to the psychological fear of missing social experiences, trends, or important moments that other people appear to enjoy on social media.
The phenomenon has become increasingly common among teenagers as social media use continues to dominate daily life. Many adolescents feel pressured to constantly monitor their friends’ activities online to avoid feeling excluded from their social circles.
According to the researchers from Ngudi Waluyo University, today’s teenagers grow up in an environment where digital interaction strongly shapes identity and social acceptance. Social media no longer functions only as a communication tool, but also as a space where young people seek recognition and validation from others.
The research involved 93 students aged between 12 and 18 years old who were selected through random sampling. Researchers used two main instruments: the Friendship Quality Scale (FQS) to measure peer relationship quality, and the Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOS) to assess levels of FoMO anxiety.
The findings showed that most respondents had low to moderate-quality peer relationships. Around 73.1 percent of students were categorized as having lower-quality friendships, while only 26.9 percent experienced high-quality peer relationships.
Meanwhile, FoMO levels among students varied considerably. About 41.9 percent of respondents were classified in the low FoMO category, 37.6 percent in the moderate category, and 20.4 percent experienced high levels of FoMO anxiety.
The study’s most important finding was the statistically significant relationship between friendship quality and FoMO anxiety. Researchers reported a significance value of p=0.025, indicating a clear connection between the two variables.
Students with high-quality friendships tended to experience lower FoMO anxiety. Among the 25 students who reported strong peer relationships, 64 percent only showed low levels of FoMO.
In contrast, students with weaker social relationships were more vulnerable to moderate and high FoMO anxiety. Many of them reported feelings of loneliness, lack of emotional support, and stronger dependence on social media for validation.
Puji Lestari and her colleagues explained that healthy friendships function as a “psychological protector” for adolescents in the digital era. Teenagers who feel accepted and emotionally connected in real-life social environments are less likely to seek excessive validation through online interactions.
“Supportive friendships help adolescents feel emotionally secure and reduce their vulnerability to digital social pressure,” the researchers stated in the discussion section of the study.
The research also emphasized that FoMO is not simply a habit of excessive social media use. If left unmanaged, it can develop into more serious mental health problems. Teenagers with high FoMO levels are more likely to experience social anxiety, chronic stress, sleep disturbances, decreased academic concentration, and even social media addiction.
The findings are particularly relevant in Indonesia, where adolescent mental health problems continue to increase. Data from the Indonesia National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS) 2022 showed that approximately 34.9 percent of Indonesian adolescents experienced mental health problems within the previous year, with anxiety disorders among the most frequently reported issues.
This study from Ngudi Waluyo University also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-Being. In Indonesia, adolescent mental health has become one of the priorities within the National Research Master Plan (RIRN).
The researchers argued that reducing FoMO among teenagers cannot rely solely on limiting gadget or social media use. Instead, solutions should focus on strengthening adolescents’ real-world social relationships.
Schools are encouraged to create programs that promote positive peer interaction, including group activities, peer counseling, and supportive social environments. Parents are also advised to improve communication and emotional support at home so teenagers do not rely entirely on social media for emotional fulfillment.
The study further opens opportunities for future research exploring the relationship between FoMO and parenting styles, social media addiction, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms among adolescents.
Author Profile
Puji Lestari is a researcher and academic from Ngudi Waluyo University whose work focuses on adolescent mental health and social psychology. This study was conducted in collaboration with Liyanovitasari and Suwanti from the same university.
0 Komentar