Nostalgia across the lifespan: thematic patterns and their implications for well-being

This study examines the age-related differences in the thematic content of nostalgia and its association with well-being. We hypothesized that older adults show a greater propensity for themes satisfying socioemotional needs, such as familial belonging and emotional security.

Study 1 (N = 996) used a cross-sectional survey to map the propensity for various nostalgic themes across age groups and their association with subjective well-being. Study 2 (N = 913) used an experimental recall paradigm combined with structural topic modeling to quantify the psychological benefits derived from reflecting on distinct nostalgic targets.

Study 1 showed that older adults reported a greater propensity for nostalgia centered on enduring familial ties (Home) and communal pasts (Emotional Security), while nostalgia for Leisure and Media was highest among middle-aged adults. Importantly, only Home-based nostalgia was consistently associated with higher subjective well-being across age groups. Study 2 demonstrated that reflecting on nostalgia events centering on Home and Emotional Security elicited more psychological benefits. Topic modeling showed that the benefits of Home-based nostalgia stem from associations with family rituals (e.g., family gatherings, Christmas) and cherished family members (e.g., grandparents).

These findings demonstrate that nostalgia is a multifaceted emotion whose thematic targets differ across age groups. We highlight the age-related variation in nostalgia experiences and how they serve socioemotional needs to maintain well-being.