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FOMO-driven binge-scrolling and eudaimonic wellbeing
ICFAI Business School, IFHE University, Dontanapally, Telangana, Hyderabad, India.
Umeå University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Umeå School of Business and Economics (USBE). Sunway Business School, Sunway University, Malaysia; Vilnius University, Lithuania; Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia; University of Johannesburg, South Africa.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1282-0319
Indian Institute of Management, Office No. 208B, IIM Rohtak Campus, Management City, Sunaria, Haryana, Rohtak, India.
Institute of Management Technology Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.
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2026 (English)In: Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, ISSN 0969-6989, E-ISSN 1873-1384, Vol. 92, article id 104752Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

To reduce their fear-of-missing-out, social media users may be lured into binge-scrolling short-form videos (e.g., reels). While platforms may cultivate users' binge-scrolling behavior (e.g., to raise revenue), understanding of the impact of binge-scrolling on user wellbeing lags behind, exposing an important gap. Drawing on the Zeigarnik effect and dual-process theory, we propose user mindfulness as an antidote to FOMO-driven binge-scrolling by enabling users to better regulate their digital impulses. To explore these issues, we adopt a mixed-methods design. Study 1 employs qualitative interviews and a focus group to capture the psychological, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of binge-scrolling to develop a conceptual model. Study 2 empirically tests the model using survey data. The CB-SEM findings underscore the paradoxical role of FOMO in fueling binge-scrolling behavior on the one hand, while fostering loneliness and reducing eudaimonic well-being on the other. Importantly, user mindfulness emerges as a significant moderating factor that can disrupt this vicious cycle, creating healthier scrolling behavior. Overall, this research contributes novel insight to the dark side of binge-scrolling and offers actionable insights for scholars, policymakers, and platform designers seeking to balance the commercial benefits of scrolling and user well-being.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2026. Vol. 92, article id 104752
Keywords [en]
Binge-scrolling, Dual-process theory, Eudaimonic wellbeing, FOMO, Mindfulness, Social media, Zeigarnik effect
National Category
Media and Communication Studies Psychology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-250847DOI: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2026.104752ISI: 001695613700001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105030195302OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-250847DiVA, id: diva2:2045167
Available from: 2026-03-11 Created: 2026-03-11 Last updated: 2026-03-11Bibliographically approved

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Hollebeek, Linda D.

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