Permanently Online : Permanently Connected and Fear of Missing Out: A Cross-Sectional Study about the Relation to Mental Health and Generalised Anxiety Disorder

The widespread use of social media platforms has popularised concepts like Permanently Online Permanently Connected (POPC) and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). Both POPC and FoMO significantly impact mental health, including anxiety disorders, such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This study aimed at investigating the impact of POPC on mental health and exploring the moderating role of GAD in the relationship between POPC and FoMO. Additionally, the study investigated potential age differences in POPC among adults aged 18 to 65 in Germany and the Netherlands. In a cross-sectional online study, data from 167 participants was collected. The analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between POPC and mental health (r = -.23). However, the moderating effect of GAD on the relationship between POPC and FoMO was not significant (p = .416). Furthermore, a significant difference in POPC was observed between young and middle-aged adults (p < .001), with higher scores reported among young adults (Mdn = 32) compared to middle-aged adults (Mdn = 24). This study highlights the negative impact of excessive online engagement on mental well-being and emphasises the vulnerability of young adults to POPC and the prevalence of FoMO among frequent digital and social media users.