The increasing usage of social media has sparked interest in identifying characteristics that contribute to problematic social media use (PSMU). Using the Interaction Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model, the current study analyzes whether fear of missing out (FoMO) and dissociative experiences affect the link between trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) and PSMU. The research included 1,216 Italian adolescents (50% girls) aged 14 to 17 years old. The mediation model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with latent variables, and gender invariance was determined using Multiple-Group Path Analysis (MGPA). The data exhibited excellent fit indices, highlighting significant connections in all direct and indirect pathways, as well as gender invariance. The findings endorse the I-PACE framework and suggest that trait EI may act preventively against PSMU by reducing the likelihood of experiencing FoMO and dissociative experiences. Additionally, addressing FoMO and dissociative experiences could be advantageous in fostering a healthier social media use.