How nostalgia infuses life with meaning: From social connectedness to self‐continuity
van Tilburg,W.A.P. Sedikides,C. Wildschut,T. Vingerhoets,A.J.J.M.
van Tilburg,W.A.P.
Sedikides,C.
Wildschut,T.
Vingerhoets,A.J.J.M.
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.
Description
Date
2019
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Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Keywords
CONCEPTIONS, DISCONTINUITIES, EXPERIENCE, IDENTITY, MEMORY, MODEL, SEARCH, SELVES, STABILITY, STATISTICAL MEDIATION ANALYSIS, meaning in life, nostalgia, self-continuity, social connectedness
Citation
van Tilburg, W A P, Sedikides, C, Wildschut, T & Vingerhoets, A J J M 2019, 'How nostalgia infuses life with meaning : From social connectedness to self‐continuity', European Journal of Social Psychology, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 521-532. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2519