The Mediating Effect Of Private Social Media Use On The Relationship Between Workplace Fomo, Burnout, And Work Engagement

Abstract

Workplace Fomo in conjunction with Private Social Media Use may lead to low Work Engagement and high Burnout among employees, which can negatively impact the organizations and employees. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Private Social Media Use mediates the relationship between Workplace Fomo and Burnout, as well as Work Engagement at work. This study expands the scientific literature on Workplace Fomo, Private Social Media Use, Burnout, and Work Engagement. A total of 273 participants aged 18-35 who worked at least 12 hours a week were included in this study. As expected, a positive association between Workplace Fomo and Private Social Media Use is found. Additionally, in line with our expectations Private Social Media Use had a positive influence on Burnout. However, contrary to expectations Private Social Media Use positively predicted Work Engagement. Finally, the effect of Workplace Fomo on Burnout and Work Engagement was not predicted by Private Social Media Use. Contrary to initial expectations, Private Social Media Use was found not to play a mediating role in the relationship between Workplace Fomo and Burnout and Work Engagement. Future research should focus on finding other mediating variables or factors in the relationship between Workplace Fomo and Work Engagement. Future researchers should note that Private Social Media Use may mediate a more specific relationship, such as between Fomo and burnout from social media use. A theoretical implication is that this study contributes to academia by being the first study that analyzes the meditative effect of Private Social Media Use on the relationship between Workplace Fomo and Burnout as well as Work Engagement. The practical implication of this study would be that organizations may introduce education and awareness programs to eliminate the negative effects of Private Social Media Use such as Burnout.