Fighting Social Isolation With Nostalgia: Nostalgia as a Resource for Feeling Connected and Appreciated and Instilling Optimism and Vitality During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Judith Cavazos-Arroyo,Rogelio Puente-Díaz

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.740247

Abstract

In two experiments, we tested the influence of bringing to mind a memory of a special moment versus an ordinary moment on nostalgia and whether this elicited nostalgia was related directly to gratitude and the satisfaction of need for relatedness and indirectly to optimism and vitality. Participants from Mexico were first asked to state how the pandemic of COVID-19 has affected their lives. After, participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Memory of special moment versus memory of ordinary recent moment (study 1) or memory of special moment versus or memory of ordinary moment from the same life period as the special moment (study 2). After, participants completed a battery of questionnaires assessing nostalgia, gratitude and optimism (study 1) or nostalgia, satisfaction of need for relatedness, and vitality (study 2). Results from study 1 showed a positive influence of bringing to mind a special moment on nostalgia. Nostalgia was positively related to gratitude, which was then related positively to optimism. Similarly, results from study 2 showed a positive influence of bringing to mind a special moment on nostalgia. Nostalgia was positively related to satisfaction of need for relatedness, which then had a positive relationship with vitality. In both studies, the indirect sequential effect of bringing to mind a special moment on optimism and vitality was significant.

Highlights

As we continue experiencing one of the worst health crises ever seen, individuals complain about social isolation, anxiety, stress, worry, and insomnia due to prolonged periods of confinement (Bland et al, 2021; Panchal et al, 2021)
Recalling a special moment led to higher levels of nostalgia, Mspecial = 8.84, SD = 1.40 than recalling an ordinary moment, Mordinary = 6.27, SD = 2.82, Cohen’s δ = 1.15
Participants asked to recall a special moment from their high school years reported higher levels of nostalgia, which was positively associated with gratitude

Summary

Introduction

As we continue experiencing one of the worst health crises ever seen, individuals complain about social isolation, anxiety, stress, worry, and insomnia due to prolonged periods of confinement (Bland et al, 2021; Panchal et al, 2021). While we do not deny the importance of providing long term solutions to these problems and challenges, we should not underestimate the power of cognitive processes such as recalling important life events to help individuals cope with some aspects of the current situation. We take a situated cognition approach in which the information that is brought to mind is capable of influencing cognitive processing (Schwarz, 2010), including the recall of important moments and the experience of feelings of nostalgia. Given that thinking is for doing, we suggest that recalling important life events could be a powerful resource to meet socials goals and feel more optimistic about the future and with more vitality under the current challenges posed by the pandemic

Methods

Results

Conclusion