The relationship between congruent dimensions of the self and nostalgia

Thumbnail Image
Date
2016-01-01
Authors
Austin, Adrienne
Major Professor
Advisor
Kristi Costabile
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Altmetrics
Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of agentic and communal trait-narrative congruence on nostalgia and to replicate previous research showing that self-esteem and positive affect are mediators of the relationship between nostalgia and optimism (Cheung et al., 2013). In Study 1, participants completed ratings of agentic and communal traits and were asked to write about a positive previous life event and complete measures assessing nostalgia, self-esteem, optimism, and positive affect. It was predicted that the degree to which individuals rated themselves on agentic traits would influence nostalgia after writing an achievement-focused narrative. It was also predicted that the degree to which individuals rated themselves on communal traits would influence nostalgia after writing a relationship-focused narrative. The hypothesis was not supported; writing a relationship-focused narrative was significantly related to greater nostalgia regardless of trait ratings. In Study 2, all predictions and measures remained the same, however, narrative focus was manipulated. Participants were randomly assigned to write about a previous life event focused on an achievement or focused on a relationship. The hypothesis was partially supported; communal trait-narrative congruence was a significant predictor of nostalgia, however agentic trait-narrative congruence was not. Both Study 1 and Study 2 found that self-esteem and positive affect mediated the relationship between nostalgia and optimism.

Series Number
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Academic or Administrative Unit
Type
thesis
Comments
Rights Statement
Copyright
Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2016
Funding
Subject Categories
Supplemental Resources
Source