The need to belong and adolescent authentic self-presentation on SNSs: A moderated mediation model involving FoMO and perceived social support

Recent research indicates that authentic self-presentation on social networking sites (SNSs) is a common behavior for adolescents. However, little is known about the driving force behind this behavior. The present study tested the relation between the need to belong and authentic self-presentation on SNSs among Chinese adolescents. Further, the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relation were examined. A sample of 832 adolescents participated in this study and completed questionnaires regarding the need to belong, perceived social support, fear of missing out (FoMO), and authentic self-presentation on SNSs. After controlling for gender, age, and SNSs use intensity, the need to belong could positively predict adolescent authentic self-presentation on SNSs. Mediation analyses indicated that FoMO mediated the association between the need to belong and adolescent authentic self-presentation on SNSs. Moderated mediation revealed that perceived social support moderated the second pathway of the indirect associations between the need to belong and adolescent authentic self-presentation on SNSs, with the association only being significant for adolescents with a lower level of perceived social support.