Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Its Role for Consumer Decision-Making and Post-Decision Outcomes

Fear of missing out (FoMO) is prevalent among young adults, impacting decision-making and post-decision processes. Across three online surveys (N1 = 246; N2 = 332; N3 = 356), this research explored the relationship between FoMO and decision-making behaviors. Study 1 found that FoMO correlates with maximization, while negatively predicting decision time and information needed. Study 2 confirmed these associations, additionally linking FoMO to decision difficulty, the perceived attractiveness of unchosen options, and post-decision regret. Study 3 examined FoMO's role in counterfactual thinking, showing that it predicts both upward and downward counterfactual thoughts but not the active search for counterfactual information. The article advances knowledge on the consequences of trait fear of missing out for consumer decision-making. These findings suggest FoMO may hinder decision-making and contribute to consumer behavior challenges.