With the rapid expansion of social networking sites and the increasing amount of time spent on them, users are increasingly exposed to social pressures, constant comparisons with others, and heightened sensitivity toward physical appearance. University students, as one of the most active user groups, are particularly vulnerable to these influences. The present study aimed to examine the role of the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) syndrome in predicting students’ social appearance anxiety and to analyze the mediating role of social loneliness.
This study employed a descriptive–correlational design. A total of 430 students from universities in Tehran were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using validated questionnaires measuring the Fear of Missing Out syndrome, social loneliness, and social appearance anxiety, and were analyzed through path analysis. The results indicated that the Fear of Missing Out syndrome not only had a direct effect on social appearance anxiety, but also indirectly increased it through heightened social loneliness. Model fit indices and bootstrap tests confirmed the significance of the proposed pathways.
The findings highlight the importance of interpersonal emotional mechanisms in the psychological consequences of social media use and emphasize that reducing fear of missing out and strengthening social relationships may be effective in preventing social appearance anxiety. By proposing an integrated model of fear of missing out, social loneliness, and social appearance anxiety, this study provides a valuable scientific basis for designing preventive and educational interventions in Iranian universities.