Predictive Roles of Fear of Missing Out and Rumination in Depression Among ICU Nurses

Nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) experience occupational stress, which increases their vulnerability to psychological disorders such as depression. Depression among ICU nurses not only affects their mental well-being but may also impair the quality of patient care. Two psychological factors, fear of missing out (FoMO) and rumination, have been proposed as psychological contributors to depression. However, their predictive roles among ICU nurses remain insufficiently explored.

To evaluate the predictive roles of FoMO and rumination in depression among ICU nurses.

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses working in ICUs in hospitals in Urmia, Iran, between 2024 and 2025.

Of the 402 distributed questionnaires, 389 were fully completed, yielding a response rate of 96.8%. The findings indicated that FoMO (p < 0.001, r = 0.34) and rumination (p < 0.001, r = 0.79) were significantly positively correlated with depression among nurses. Regression analysis showed that rumination and FoMO predicted depression, explaining 63.1% of its variance, with rumination as the strongest predictor. In the hierarchical model, demographics explained 5.7%, and adding rumination and FoMO increased explained variance to 62.6%; rumination remained a significant predictor.

Implementing evidence-based strategies to mitigate FoMO and rumination may contribute to preventing depression among ICU nurses. Interventions such as mindfulness-based practices, physical exercise and cognitive-behavioural techniques may reduce rumination. Strategies to manage FoMO, including limiting smartphone and social media use, promoting positive thinking, setting personal goals and encouraging professional mental health support, may be effective.

The significant predictive roles of FoMO and rumination in depression among ICU nurses highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions. Mindfulness-based practices and cognitive-behavioural techniques can mitigate rumination, while strategies like limiting social media use and promoting self-compassion may reduce FoMO. These interventions can enhance nurses' psychological well-being, improve job satisfaction and support high-quality patient care in high-stress ICU environments.