Studies of eudaimonic entertainment experiences have primarily examined the effects of exposure to serious content (e.g., tragic movies) rather than lighthearted content that nonetheless harbors personal significance (e.g., beloved movies from childhood). Two experiments investigated the characteristics of these so-called nostalgic entertainment experiences among U.S. adults, using Star Wars movies in Study 1 (N = 1,127) and animated Disney movies in Study 2 (N = 945). Results indicate that exposure to nostalgic content elicits more appreciation than comparable content released recently (i.e., sequels and remakes), and the same level of appreciation as exposure to scenes of self-sacrifice. However, exposure to nostalgic content produces self-affirmation, whereas exposure to scenes of self-sacrifice produces self-transcendence. These findings underscore the limitations of existing two-factor models of entertainment, and modifications are proposed.
Using the mediated wisdom of experience (MWOE) theoretical framework, this study examines how eudaimonic testimonials versus comparable didactic presentations, and the presence or absence of modeling target behavior, influence death acceptance and intentions to converse about end-of-life care preferences. Effects for testimonials on attitudes and behaviors proved contingent on modeling. When testimonials incorporated modeled behavior, individuals were more likely to intend to carry out conversations about end-of-life conversations. However, when the testimonials did not provide modeled examples of conversations about death, individuals were more likely to experience anxiety and less likely to intend to engage in such conversations. Mediation analyses found that testimonials indirectly increased attitudes and intentions to have end-of-life conversations through emotional range and death acceptance. Mediation analyses also indicated modeling such conversations increased attitudes and intentions toward having end-of-life conversations via identification and self-efficacy.
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