Digital Vulnerability: Exploring the Mediating Role of FoMO in the Relationship Between Dark Triad Personality and Social Media Addiction

Chien‐Po Liao, Chi‐Cheng Wu and Eva Chia Hua Chiu

Journal of Consumer Affairs, 2025, vol. 59, issue 1

Abstract: This study underscores the necessity of assessing well‐being concerns in online environments through the lens of individual differences, going beyond simply addressing external vulnerabilities. It examines the relationships among dark personality traits, fear of missing out emotions, and social media addiction. The stability and identifiability of these traits are essential for formulating practical policies and interventions. Structural equation modeling reveals the varied influences of dark personality traits on social media addiction. Specifically, while Machiavellianism has a direct effect on SMA, its indirect influence through FoMO is not significant. Additionally, narcissism influences SMA both directly and indirectly, and psychopathy impacts SMA indirectly through FoMO. Based on these findings, we recommend that platforms and businesses adjust their algorithms and content strategies based on the personality‐driven mechanisms identified, to enhance consumer welfare and promote more effective management practices.

Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.70002

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bla:jconsa:v:59:y:2025:i:1:n:e70002

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.blackwell ... bs.asp?ref=0022-0078

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of Consumer Affairs is currently edited by Sharon Tennyson

More articles in Journal of Consumer Affairs from Wiley Blackwell
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Wiley Content Delivery ().