The Relationship Between Fan Passion and Second Screen Usage: The Mediating Role of Fear of Missing Out

Abstract

Second screen usage by fans while watching sports events on TV has been increasing in recent years. Although second screens are frequently used in two-way communication with fans and sports clubs, few studies have examined the subject from a theoretical perspective to understand it better. This study aims to determine whether the fear of missing out (FoMO [personal FoMO and social FoMO]) mediates the relationship between fan passion (harmonious passion and obsessive passion) and second screen usage through the dualistic model of passion (DMP) perspective. For that purpose, we conducted an online survey for data collection along with fans in Turkey and analysed 300 valid responses (79.3% male, aged 18-59 years) via structural equation modelling. The results showed that harmonious and obsessive passion had no direct effect on second screen usage. However, they had indirect effect on second screen usage through personal FoMO. In addition, personal FoMO had a prediction on second screen usage. As a result, this study highlights the importance of the second screen in the sports industry and the effect of fans’ passion and FoMO levels on second screen usage from the DMP view. To our knowledge, the present study provides the first empirical evidence for the mediating role of FoMO in the relationship between fan passion and second screen use.