PTSD, FOMO and fake news beliefs: a cross-sectional study of Wenchuan earthquake survivors

Background Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers show problematic patterns of Internet use such as fear of missing out (FOMO) and sharing misinformation and fake news. This study aimed to investigate these associations in survivors of the 2008 earthquake in Wenchuan, China. Methods A self-reported survey was completed by 356 survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake. A mediated structural equation model was constructed to test a proposed pattern of associations with FOMO as a mediator of the relationship between PTSD symptoms and belief in fake news, as well as moderators of this pathway. Results PTSD was directly associated with believing fake news ([beta] = 0.444, p < .001) and with FOMO ([beta] = 0.347, p < .001). FOMO mediated the association between PTSD and fake news belief ([beta] = 0.373, p < .001). Age moderated the direct ([beta] = 0.148, t = 3.097, p = .002) and indirect ([beta] = 0.145, t = 3.122, p = .002) pathways, with effects more pronounced with increasing age. Gender was also a moderator, with the indirect effect present in females but not in males ([beta] = 0.281, t = 6.737, p < .001). Conclusion Those with higher PTSD symptoms are more likely to believe fake news and this is partly explained by FOMO. This effect is present in females and not males and is stronger in older people. Findings extend knowledge of the role of psychological variables in problematic Internet use among those with PTSD. Keywords: Wenchuan Earthquake, Fake news, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Fear of missing out, Social Media Use