Impact of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) on Consumption and the Emergence of Fomsumerism: A PRISMA-Guided Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Fear of missing out (FOMO) has surged as a pivotal psychological driver in digital consumer behavior, propelling impulsive purchases and giving rise to Fomsumerism—a novel form of consumerism rooted in social exclusion anxiety. This systematic literature review, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, synthesizes 34 empirical studies from 2022 to 2025, revealing a consistent positive association of Fear of Missing Out with compulsive buying, particularly among Generation Z, through social media platforms. Key findings highlight antecedents like scarcity cues and social comparison, consequences including post-purchase regret, and the nascent conceptualization of Fomsumerism as FOMO-fueled overconsumption. Gaps persist in longitudinal designs and cross-cultural validations, underscoring the need for ethical marketing interventions. These insights advance consumer psychology theory and inform sustainable digital strategies.