<![CDATA[Background: Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and phubbing are increasingly common among university students as smartphone use intensifies and may be associated with psychological distress. Evidence among health sciences students in Indonesia remains limited. This study examined the relationships and contributions of FoMO and phubbing to psychological distress among health sciences students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 health sciences students in Surakarta, Indonesia, selected using purposive sampling. FoMO was measured using the Fear of Missing Out Scale, phubbing using the Generic Scale of Phubbing, and psychological distress using the total score of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Shapiro–Wilk test, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results: The mean scores were 31.55±6.60 for FoMO, 41.49±9.36 for phubbing, and 19.95±7.87 for psychological distress. FoMO was positively correlated with phubbing (r=0.467; p<0.001) and psychological distress (r=0.350; p<0.001). Phubbing was also positively correlated with psychological distress (r=0.425; p<0.001). The regression model was significant (F(2,147)=19.53; p<0.001) and explained 21.0% of the variance. FoMO (B=0.230; β=0.193; p=0.021) and phubbing (B=0.282; β=0.335; p<0.001) were significant predictors, with phubbing showing a stronger contribution. Conclusion: FoMO and phubbing are associated with psychological distress. Digital mental health programs should promote FoMO management, phubbing reduction, smartphone self-regulation, and direct social interaction. Causal relationships cannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional design.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
