Can Good Memories of the Past Instill Happiness? Nostalgia Improves Subjective Well-Being by Increasing Gratitude

The study explores how nostalgia, a reservoir of positive emotions, impacts subjective well-being (SWB). While prior research suggests a positive link, the mechanism remains unclear. This research focuses on gratitude as a potential mediator in this relationship. SWB is understood as having emotional (positive and negative affect) and cognitive (life satisfaction) components. The study hypothesizes that nostalgia will positively affect SWB, specifically increasing positive affect and decreasing negative affect, and that gratitude mediates this effect. The importance lies in understanding how to improve individual well-being, a central theme in positive psychology. Existing research shows a paradoxical relationship between nostalgia and negative affect, and this study aims to clarify the interaction of these factors. The study intends to test the mediating effect of state gratitude on the relationship between nostalgia and SWB, thereby enriching our understanding of both the impact of nostalgia on SWB and the role of gratitude in well-being.

The concept of nostalgia, originating from the Greek meaning of 'homesickness pain,' has evolved from a psychiatric disorder to a common human experience. While some view nostalgia as positive, others see it as negative or bittersweet. Nostalgia is often triggered by past-related stimuli (social or nonsocial). Nostalgia has been linked to improved physical and psychological health, alleviating pain, promoting social connection, and boosting self-esteem. Subjective well-being is a multifaceted construct encompassing emotional experience (positive and negative affect) and life satisfaction. Previous research has examined the link between nostalgia and either positive affect or life satisfaction separately, but not comprehensively across all aspects of SWB. Gratitude, a key element of positive psychology, is a positive emotional response to kindness, existing as both a trait and a state. State gratitude has been shown to enhance well-being, improve mood and increase life satisfaction. However, few studies examine the interplay of nostalgia, gratitude, and SWB. This study attempts to fill this gap.

Two experiments were conducted with young adult participants (undergraduate students). Experiment 1 (N=196) employed a guided autobiographical recall procedure to induce nostalgia. Participants were randomly assigned to either a nostalgia or control condition. The nostalgia group recalled a nostalgic event, while the control group described a neutral scene. A manipulation check confirmed the effectiveness of the induction. Experiment 2 (N=102) used a nostalgic video showing childhood objects and music as the nostalgia induction method, compared to a neutral nature video in the control condition. The same manipulation check was used. Measures included: the Gratitude Schedule (measuring gratitude), the Revised Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS, measuring emotional well-being), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS, measuring cognitive well-being). Data analysis involved group comparisons (t-tests and ANOVAs) and regression-based mediation analysis (PROCESS macro in SPSS).

Experiment 1 showed that the nostalgia group had significantly higher positive affect and reported significantly more gratitude than the control group. Gratitude partially mediated the association between nostalgia and positive affect. However, there were no significant differences in negative affect or life satisfaction. Experiment 2 replicated the findings of higher positive affect and gratitude in the nostalgia condition, with gratitude partially mediating the positive affect. Importantly, the nostalgia group also showed significantly lower negative affect than the control group. Again, there was no significant difference in life satisfaction between groups. Correlation analysis further supported the relationship between nostalgia, gratitude, and positive/negative affect. Mediation analysis in both experiments confirmed the partial mediating effect of gratitude on the relationship between nostalgia and positive affect. In Experiment 2, gratitude also partially mediated the relationship between nostalgia and negative affect. No significant mediation effects were found for life satisfaction in either experiment.

The results largely support the hypotheses regarding the positive effect of nostalgia on emotional well-being (positive affect) and the mediating role of gratitude. The inconsistent findings regarding negative affect might be due to the type of nostalgia induction used, with the video in Experiment 2 proving more effective at reducing negative affect. The lack of a significant impact on life satisfaction suggests that nostalgia’s influence might be more strongly tied to emotional rather than cognitive aspects of well-being. The partial mediation by gratitude indicates that the positive impact of nostalgia on emotional well-being is partially explained by the increase in feelings of gratitude. This supports the notion that nostalgia enhances positive emotional experiences through the experience of gratitude, potentially stemming from reflections on social connections.

This study demonstrates a positive link between nostalgia and emotional well-being, mediated by gratitude. Nostalgia significantly increased positive affect and, in one experiment, decreased negative affect. Gratitude played a partial mediating role in these relationships. Life satisfaction remained unaffected, suggesting that the effects of experimentally induced nostalgia are mainly emotional. Future research could explore the impact of different types of nostalgia, investigate the role of other potential mediators (e.g., savoring the present, hope), and examine longer-term effects on life satisfaction.

The study’s limitations include the use of a student sample, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other age groups and backgrounds. The study also did not differentiate between types of nostalgia, potentially overlooking nuanced effects. Future research should address these limitations by using more diverse samples and exploring various types of nostalgia.