Abstract
ObjectivesNostalgic memories are more social than other forms of autobiographical recall, often refer to atypical events, express more positive affect and reflect life as meaningful. Recalling a nostalgic (compared to ordinary) memory increases self-esteem, self-growth, meaning in life and social connectedness for people living with dementia. We set two objectives: to work with people living with dementia to develop an intervention based on nostalgia, and to assess whether couples could engage in nostalgic conversations.MethodOur research fell into three phases. Initially, we consulted with people living with dementia and with carers to identify the parameters for a nostalgic intervention. From this, we drafted a workbook that contained triggers for nostalgic conversations, which we then took back to the public contributors for refinement. Finally, we trialled the workbook over 5 weeks with six couples, each of which included a person living with dementia. We assessed pre- and post-intervention self-esteem, self-growth, meaning in life and social connectedness for participants with dementia and social connectedness for carers. We then calculated Reliable Change Index scores and established levels of clinically significant change. We also interviewed couples at the end of the intervention to explore its implementation and acceptability.ResultsAll six couples could identify nostalgic memories, with five couples successfully integrating the nostalgic conversations into their day-to-day lives. A sixth couple found it difficult to engage fully with the intervention, but still considered it useful. All six couples manifested a reliable change in at least one outcome, with one couple showing reliable change across three outcomes.ConclusionThe psychological benefits of nostalgia have been robustly demonstrated in laboratory-based studies. This co-production of an intervention that sets nostalgic recall into the context of a conversation has clinical potential but requires further investigation through a larger study.
Highlights
The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998, p. 1266) defines nostalgia as a ‘sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past’
We worked with people living with dementia and carers to co-produce a workbook of nostalgic conversations
This study has demonstrated that people living with mild or moderate levels of dementia and their partners can use nostalgia as part of their everyday conversations
Summary
The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998, p. 1266) defines nostalgia as a ‘sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past’. Nostalgia refers to the evocation of personally relevant and emotionally poignant memories in which the self plays a prominent role within a social context (Sedikides et al, 2008, 2015). In terms of selforiented benefits, nostalgia (vs a control group) heightens self-esteem (Wildschut et al, 2006) and augments self-growth In terms of existential benefits, nostalgia raises meaning in life (i.e. the perception that life is purposeful; Sedikides & Wildschut, 2018). In terms of social benefits, nostalgia fosters social connectedness (i.e. a sense of belongingness and acceptance including being loved, protected and supported; Sedikides & Wildschut, 2019)
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