Scientific journal paper Q1
Pancultural nostalgia in action: Prevalence, triggers, and psychological functions of nostalgia across cultures
Hepper, E. (Hepper, E.); Constantine Sedikides (Sedikides, C.); Wildschut, T (Wildschut, T.); Cheung, W. Y (Cheung, W. Y); Georgios Abakoumkin (Abakoumkin, G.); Arikan, G (Arikan, G.); Aveyard, M (Aveyard, M.); Baldursson, E. B (Baldursson, E. B.); Bialobrzeska, O., (Bialobrzeska, O.); Bouamama, S., (Bouamama, S.); Bouzaouech, I., (Bouzaouech, I.); Brambilla, M (Brambilla, M.); Burger, A. M (Burger, A. M); Chen, S.X (Chen, S. X.); Cisek, S., (Cisek, S.); Demassosso, D (Demassosso, D.); Estevan-Reina, L (Estevan-Reina, L.); González, R., (González, R.); Gu, L (Gu, L.); Rita Guerra (Guerra, R.); Hansen, N (Hansen, N.); et al.
Journal Title
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General
Year (definitive publication)
2024
Language
English
Country
United States of America
More Information
Web of Science®

Times Cited: 2

(Last checked: 2024-07-22 22:18)

View record in Web of Science®

Scopus

Times Cited: 3

(Last checked: 2024-07-20 12:55)

View record in Scopus

Google Scholar

Times Cited: 7

(Last checked: 2024-07-23 17:09)

View record in Google Scholar

Abstract
Nostalgia is a social, self-relevant, and bittersweet (although mostly positive) emotion that arises when reflecting on fond past memories and serves key psychological functions. The majority of evidence concerning the prevalence, triggers, and functions of nostalgia has been amassed in samples from a handful of largely Western cultures. If nostalgia is a fundamental psychological resource, it should perform similar functions across cultures, although its operational dynamics may be shaped by culture. This study (N = 2,606) examined dispositional nostalgia, self-reported triggers of nostalgia, and functions of experimentally induced nostalgia in young adults across 28 countries and a special administrative region of China (i.e., Hong Kong). Results indicated that nostalgia is frequently experienced across cultures, albeit better valued in more-developed countries (i.e., higher national wealth and life-expectancy). Nostalgia is triggered by psychological threats (especially in warmer countries), sensory stimuli (especially in more-developed countries), and social gatherings (especially in less-developed countries). The positive or negative affect prompted by experimentally induced nostalgia varied by country, but was mild overall. More importantly, recalling a nostalgic (vs. ordinary) memory increased social connectedness, self-continuity, and meaning in life across cultures. In less-developed countries, recalling an ordinary memory also conferred some of these functions, reducing the effect size of nostalgia. Finally, recalling a nostalgic (vs. ordinary) memory augmented state satisfaction with life in countries with lower quality of living (i.e., lower life-expectancy and life-satisfaction). Overall, findings confirm the relevance of nostalgia across a wide range of cultures and indicate cultural nuances in its functioning.
Acknowledgements
--
Keywords
Nostalgia,Culture,Emotion,Memory,Wellbeing
  • Basic Medicine - Medical and Health Sciences
  • Clinical Medicine - Medical and Health Sciences
  • Other Medical Sciences - Medical and Health Sciences
  • Psychology - Social Sciences
Funding Records
Funding Reference Funding Entity
ANID/FONDAP/15130009 Center for Social Conflict and Cohesion Studies
ANID/FONDAP/15110006 Center for Intercultural and Indigenous Research