Nostalgia-Evoked Inspiration: Mediating Mechanisms and Motivational Implications. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stephan, Elena; Sedikides, Constantine; Wildschut, Tim; Cheung, Wing-Yee; Routledge, Clay; Arndt, Jamie
• Is Part Of: Personality & social psychology bulletin. Volume 41:Number 10(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1395
• Page End: 1410
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: nostalgia -- inspiration -- social connectedness -- self-esteem -- motivation; Personality -- Periodicals; Social psychology -- Periodicals; 302
• DOI: 10.1177/0146167215596985
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-1672

Abstract

Six studies examined the nostalgia–inspiration link and its motivational implications. In Study 1, nostalgia proneness was positively associated with inspiration frequency and intensity. In Studies 2 and 3, the recollection of nostalgic (vs. ordinary) experiences increased both general inspiration and specific inspiration to engage in exploratory activities. In Study 4, serial mediational analyses supported a model in which nostalgia increases social connectedness, which subsequently fosters self-esteem, which then boosts inspiration. In Study 5, a rigorous evaluation of this serial mediational model (with a novel nostalgia induction controlling for positive affect) reinforced the idea that nostalgia-elicited social connectedness increases self-esteem, which then heightens inspiration. Study 6 extended the serial mediational model by demonstrating that nostalgia-evoked inspiration predicts goal pursuit (intentions to pursue an important goal). Nostalgia spawns inspiration via social connectedness and attendant self-esteem. In turn, nostalgia-evoked inspiration bolsters motivation.