The role of FoMO and nomophobia in explaining the relationship between doomscrolling and poor sleep quality

The increasing use of technology in daily life can significantly affect individuals' habits and lifestyles. With the widespread use of digital devices, sleep quality has become one of the key areas influenced by technological change. This study aims to examine the mediating roles of FoMO and nomophobia in the relationship between doomscrolling and poor sleep quality. The hypotheses were tested using a descriptive-correlational design with a sample of 663 adults, including 531 women and 132 men, aged between 18 and 77 (Mean = 25.00, SD = 7.53). PROCESS Macro 4.1 (Model 6) was applied to assess multiple mediation effects. According to the results, doomscrolling was positively associated with poor sleep quality (b = .059, 95% CI [.028, .089]). Doomscrolling also significantly predicted FoMO (b = .279, 95% CI [.211, .346]) and nomophobia (b = .092, 95% CI [.056, .129]). FoMO significantly predicted nomophobia (b = .343, 95% CI [.304, .382]). However, FoMO did not significantly predict poor sleep quality (b = -.014, 95% CI [-.053, .024]). Nomophobia, on the other hand, was a significant predictor of poor sleep quality (b = .219, 95% CI [.156, .281]). Mediation analysis showed that nomophobia had a significant mediating role in the relationship between doomscrolling and poor sleep quality (b = .020, 95% CI [.011, .031]). Although FoMO alone was not a significant mediator (b = -.004, 95% CI [-.015, .007]), FoMO and nomophobia together showed a positive combined mediation effect (b = .021, 95% CI [.013, .030]). These findings suggest that increasing awareness of smartphone and social media use may contribute to improving sleep quality. Including strategies to reduce nomophobia, FoMO, and doomscrolling in sleep-related psychoeducational programs may be beneficial.