How nostalgia infuses life with meaning: From social connectedness to self‐continuity

Abstract

Nostalgia increases meaning in life (MIL), but how so? In four experiments—using varied operationalizations of nostalgia, diverse populations, and complementary methodologies—we identified a serial process. We hypothesized and found, in Experiment 1, that self‐continuity boosts MIL. We hypothesized and found, in Experiment 2, that nostalgia increases MIL through self‐continuity. Finally, we hypothesized and found, in Experiments 3–4, that nostalgia fosters social connectedness, which plausibly heightens self‐continuity, which in turn strengthens MIL. The findings clarify an intricate pathway through which nostalgia renders life more meaningful.

Hanin: Nostalgia among Syrian refugees

“…Nostalgic recollections of a parent, for example, may serve as reminders of the core values that guide one through life. A string of laboratory experiments support this postulated causal effect of nostalgia on heightened self-continuity (Abakoumkin, Hepper, Wildschut, & Sedikides, in press;Van Tilburg, Sedikides, Wildschut, & Vingerhoets, 2018). Meaning in life refers to the subjective perception that one's life is coherent, purposeful, and valuable or significant (King, Heintzelman, & Ward, 2016;Krause & Hayward, 2014).…”

The Ties That Bind: University Nostalgia Fosters Relational and Collective University Engagement

“…For example, individuals who experienced greater nostalgia by smelling familiar scents ( Reid et al, 2015 ), recalling nostalgic autobiographical memories ( Abakoumkin et al, 2019 ), or reading the lyrics to nostalgic songs ( Sedikides et al, 2016 ) felt more continuity in their lives. Self-continuity, in turn, is associated with positive outcomes, such as eudaimonic wellbeing ( Sedikides et al, 2016 ) and meaning in life ( Van Tilburg et al, 2019 ). We reasoned that self-continuity would mediate the effect of university nostalgia on positive engagement with the university and its members.…”

Evaluating the impact of a time orientation intervention on well-being during the COVID-19 lockdown: past, present or future?

“…1266. Nostalgia holds many benefits, and recalling a nostalgic event (compared to an ordinary-event) increases self-esteem, self-continuity, social connectedness, optimism, meaning, and positive affect (Abakoumkin et al, 2019;Hepper et al, 2012;Sedikides et al, 2018;Van Tilburg et al, 2019). Crucially, nostalgia has also been found to buffer key relevant threats such as loneliness and death awareness (Hepper et al, 2020;Routledge et al, 2011).…”

“…A G*Power analysis with an effect size of η p 2 = 0.07 (based on previous nostalgia effects sizes between 0.001 and 0.12; Abakoumkin et al, 2019;Sedikides et al, 2018;Van Tilburg et al, 2019), power of 0.8, alpha of 0.05, an ANCOVA with four groups, and three covariates suggested a sample size of 149 (Faul et al, 2007). The sample initially included a total of 385 participants but 124 participants were removed due to two or more incomplete measures (n = 53), taking a break (n = 39), unclear text answers (n = 1), and completing the study in under 7 min (n = 1).…”

“…and rated on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 6 (Strongly agree). The five subscales were analysed separately and also summated as total well-being (α = .95) and have previously been well validated (Abakoumkin et al, 2019;Van Tilburg et al, 2019).…”