Benefits of Positive Memories Identified by Southampton University Research

Benefits of Positive Memories Identified by Southampton University Research 2004 To 2024

The sources provide a comprehensive list of research publications from the University of Southampton spanning from 2004 to 2024, exploring various aspects of "nostalgia" in the sense of having subjects focus on positive memories and its psychological effects. These publications reveal a wide range of benefits associated with focusing on positive memories, which are summarized below.

Note: The complete list of publications can be found at: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/nostalgia/publications.page

Psychological Well-being

• Self-continuity and meaning in life: Nostalgia can help individuals develop a stronger sense of self-continuity over time and find greater meaning in their lives. 

  
  Biskas, M., Juhl, J., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Saroglou, V. (2022). Nostalgia and spirituality: The roles of self-continuity and meaning in life. Social Psychology, 53(3), 152–162. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000487
  
  Dodd, E., Ismail, S., Christopher, G., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Cheston, R. (2022). Nostalgic conversations: The co-production of an intervention package for people living with dementia and their spouse. Dementia, 21(2), 489-501. https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012211047350
• Well-being: Engaging with nostalgic memories can improve overall well-being. 

  
  Kelley, N. J., Davis, W. E., Dang, J., Liu, L., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2022). Nostalgia confers psychological wellbeing by increasing authenticity. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 102, 104379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2022.104379
  
  Layous, K., Kurtz, J. L., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2022). The effect of a multi-week nostalgia intervention on well-being: Mechanisms and moderation. Emotion, 22(8), 1952-1968. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000817
  
  Luo, Y. L. L., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C., & Cai, H. (2022). Nostalgia and satisfaction with life: A behavioral genetic analysis. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23, 3347–3361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-022-00548-9

• Terror management function: Nostalgia may serve as a buffer against existential anxieties, such as the fear of death. 

• Existential resource: Nostalgia can provide a sense of meaning and purpose, particularly in the face of challenging life circumstances. 

  
  Juhl, J., & Routledge, C. (2013). Nostalgia bolsters perceptions of a meaningful self in a meaningful world. In J. Hicks & C. Routledge (Eds.), The experience of meaning in life: Perspectives from the psychological sciences (pp. 213-226). New York, NY: Springer Press.
  
  Routledge, C., Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., & Juhl, J. (2013). Finding meaning in the past: Nostalgia as an existential resource. In K. Markman, T. Proulx, & M. Lindberg (Eds.), The psychology of meaning (pp. 297-316). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 
  
  Routledge C., Arndt, J., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Hart, C., Juhl, J., Vingerhoets, A. J., & Scholtz, W. (2011). The past makes the present meaningful: Nostalgia as an existential resource. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101 , 638-652.
  
  Wildschut, C., Sedikides, C., & Cordaro, F. (2011). Self-regulatory interplay between negative and positive emotions: The case of loneliness and nostalgia. In I. Nyklicek, A. J. J. M.
  
  Vingerhoets, & M. Zeelenberg (Eds.), Emotion regulation and well-being (pp. 67-83). New York, NY: Springer.

• Psychological health and well-being: Nostalgia has been identified as a valuable resource for promoting psychological health and well-being. 

  
  Routledge, C., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Juhl, J. (2013). Nostalgia as a resource for psychological health and well-being. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 7 , 808-818.
  
  Seehusen, J., Cordaro, F., Wildschut, T., Sedikides. C., Routledge, C., Blackhart, G. C., & Epstude, K., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2013). Individual differences in nostalgia proneness: The integrating role of the need to belong. Personality and Individual Differences, 55 , 904-908.
  
  Turner, R. N., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Gheorghiu, M. (2013). Combating the mental health stigma with nostalgia. European Journal of Social Psychology, 43 , 413-422.

• Thwarting loneliness: Nostalgia can help counteract feelings of loneliness by fostering a sense of social connection. 

  
  Zhou, X., Sedikides, C., Mo. T., Li, W., Hong, E., & Wildschut, T. (2022). The restorative power of nostalgia: Thwarting loneliness by raising happiness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 13(4), 803-815. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/U5RJB
  
  Evans, N. D., Reyes, J., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Fetterman, A. K. (2021). Mental transportation mediates nostalgia’s psychological benefits. Cognition and Emotion, 35(1), 84-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2020.1806788
• Emotion regulation and well-being: Nostalgia plays a role in emotion regulation and contributes to overall well-being. 

  
  Routledge C., Arndt, J., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Hart, C., Juhl, J., Vingerhoets, A. J., & Scholtz, W. (2011). The past makes the present meaningful: Nostalgia as an existential resource. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101 , 638-652.
  
  Wildschut, C., Sedikides, C., & Cordaro, F. (2011). Self-regulatory interplay between negative and positive emotions: The case of loneliness and nostalgia. In I. Nyklicek, A. J. J. M.
  
  Vingerhoets, & M. Zeelenberg (Eds.), Emotion regulation and well-being (pp. 67-83). New York, NY: Springer.

• Death-anxiety buffering function: Nostalgia can help reduce anxiety related to death and mortality. 

  
  Barrett, F. S., Grimm, K. J., Robins, R. W., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Janata, P. (2010). Music-evoked nostalgia: Affect, memory, and personality. Emotion, 10, 390-403.
  
  Juhl, J., Routledge, C., Arndt, J., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2010). Fighting the future with the past: On the death-anxiety buffering function of nostalgia. Journal of Research in Personality, 44, 309-314.
  
  Gebauer, J., & Sedikides, C. (2010). Yearning for yesterday: Dwell on the past— It’s good for you. Scientific American Mind, 23, 30-35. doi:10.1038/scientificamericanmind0710-30

• Counteracting loneliness: Nostalgia has a restorative effect that can combat loneliness. 

  
  Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Gaertner, L., Routledge, C., & Arndt, J. (2008). Nostalgia as enabler of self-continuity. In F. Sani (Ed.), Self-continuity: Individual and collective perspectives (pp. 227-239). New York, NY: Psychology Press.
  
  Zhou, X, Sedikides, C., Wildschut, C., & Gao, D.-G. (2008). Counteracting loneliness: On the restorative function of nostalgia. Psychological Science, 19, 1023-1029.
  2006
  
  Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Arndt, J., & Routledge, C. D. (2006). Affect and the self. In J. P. Forgas (Ed.), Affect in social thinking and behavior: Frontiers in social psychology (pp. 197-215). New York, NY: Psychology Press.

• Restorative function: Nostalgia has a restorative power that can promote well-being and resilience. 

  
  Zhou, X., Sedikides, C., Mo. T., Li, W., Hong, E., & Wildschut, T. (2022). The restorative power of nostalgia: Thwarting loneliness by raising happiness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 13(4), 803-815. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/U5RJB
  2021
  
  Evans, N. D., Reyes, J., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Fetterman, A. K. (2021). Mental transportation mediates nostalgia’s psychological benefits. Cognition and Emotion, 35(1), 84-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2020.1806788

Social Connections

• Reducing social distance: Nostalgia can help bridge social divides and promote more positive attitudes towards others. This includes reducing weight stigma and ageism. 

  
  Sedikides, C., Leunissen, J. M., & Wildschut, T. (2022). The psychological benefits of music-evoked nostalgia. Psychology of Music, 50(6), 2044-2062. https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356211064641
  
  Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2022). Nostalgia across cultures. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 16, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/18344909221091649
  
  Turner, R. N., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2022). Reducing social distance caused by weight stigma: Nostalgia changes behavior toward overweight individuals. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 52(6), 429–438. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12869 
  
  Turner, R. N., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2022). Reducing social distance caused by weight stigma: Nostalgia changes behavior toward overweight individuals. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 52(6), 429–438. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12869

  Wildschut, R. T., & Sedikides, C. (2022). The measurement of nostalgia. In W. Ruch, A. B., Bakker, L. Tay, & F. Gander (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology assessment (pp. 438-451). Hogrefe.

  Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2022). Psychology and nostalgia: Towards a functional approach. In M. H. Jacobsen (Ed.), Intimations of nostalgia: Multidisciplinary explorations of an enduring emotion (pp. 110-128). Bristol University Press. 
  
  

  Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2018). Finding meaning in nostalgia. Review of General Psychology, 22 (1), 48-61. doi:10.1037/gpr0000109
  
  

  Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., & Stephan, E. (2018). Nostalgia shapes and potentiates the future. In J. P. Forgas & R. F. Baumeister (Eds.), The social psychology of living well (pp. 181-199). New York, NY: Routledge
  
  

  Turner, R. N., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2018). Fighting ageism through nostalgia. European Journal of Social Psychology, 48 , 196-208. doi:10.1002/ejsp.2317

• Fosters relational and collective engagement: Nostalgia can strengthen social bonds and encourage engagement within groups and communities. 
   

  Frankenbach, J., Wildschut, T., Juhl, J., & Sedikides, C. (2020). Does neuroticism disrupt the psychological benefits of nostalgia? A meta-analytic test. European Journal of Personality, 35(2), 249-266. https://doi.org/10.1080/10.1002/per.2276
  
  Green, J. D., Cairo, A. H., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2021). The ties that bind: University nostalgia fosters relational and collective university engagement. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 580731. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.580731

• Promotes help seeking by fostering social connectedness: Nostalgia may encourage individuals to seek help and support from others when needed. 

  
  Juhl, J., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Xiong, X., & Zhou, X. (2021). Nostalgia promotes help seeking by fostering social connectedness. Emotion, 21(3), 631-643.
  https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000720
  
  Leunissen, J.M., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Routledge, C. (2021). The hedonic character of nostalgia: An integrative data analysis. Emotion Review, 13(2), 139-156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073920950455
  
  Petkanopoulou, K., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2021). Nostalgia and biculturalism: How host-culture nostalgia fosters bicultural identity integration. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 52(2), 184-191. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022120988345

• A repository of social connectedness: Nostalgic memories often involve significant relationships, contributing to a sense of social connection. 

  
  Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Routledge, C., Arndt, J., & Cordaro, P. (2010). Nostalgia as a repository of social connectedness: The role of attachment-related avoidance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98, 573-586.
  
  Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Routledge, C. R, Arndt, J., & Zhou, X. (2009). Buffering acculturative stress and facilitating cultural adaptation: Nostalgias as a psychological resource. In R. S. Wyer, Jr., C.-y. Chiu, & Y.-y. Hong (Eds.), Understanding culture: Theory, research, and application (pp. 361-378). New York, NY: Psychology Press.

Self-Concept and Identity

• Self-continuity: Nostalgia reinforces a sense of continuity in one's identity over time. This can be particularly important as people age and experience significant life changes. 

  
  Biskas, M., Juhl, J., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Saroglou, V. (2022). Nostalgia and spirituality: The roles of self-continuity and meaning in life. Social Psychology, 53(3), 152–162. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000487
  
  Dodd, E., Ismail, S., Christopher, G., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Cheston, R. (2022). Nostalgic conversations: The co-production of an intervention package for people living with dementia and their spouse. Dementia, 21(2), 489-501. https://doi.org/10.1177/14713012211047350 
  
  Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2016a). Past forward: Nostalgia as a motivational force. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 20 , 319-321. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.01.008
  
  Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2016b). Nostalgia: A bittersweet emotion that confers psychological health benefits. In J. Johnson & A. Wood (Eds.), The handbook of positive clinical psychology (pp. 25-136). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  
  Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Cheung, W.-Y., Routledge, C., Hepper, E. G., Arndt, J., Vail, K., Zhou, X., Brackstone, K., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2016). Nostalgia fosters self-continuity: Uncovering the mechanism (social connectedness) and the consequence (eudaimonic well-being). Emotion, 16 , 524-539. doi:10.1037/emo0000136

• Identity narrative stability: Nostalgia contributes to a stable and coherent personal narrative. 

  
  Fleury, J., Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Coon, D., & Komnenich, P. (2022). Feeling safe and nostalgia in healthy aging. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 843051. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.843051
  
  Hong, E. K., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2022). How does nostalgia conduce to self-continuity? The roles of identity narrative, associative links, and stability. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 48(5), 735-749. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672211024889
  
  Ismail, S., Dodd, E., Christopher, G., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Cheston, R. (2021). The content and function of nostalgic memories of people living with dementia. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 94(4), 436-459. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150211024185

• A resource for the self: Nostalgia can provide a source of strength and resilience for the self. 

  
  Vess, M., Arndt, J., Routledge, C., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2012). Nostalgia as a resource for the self. Self and Identity, 3 , 273-284.
  
  Zhou, X., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Shi, K., & Feng, C. (2012). Nostalgia: The gift that keeps on giving. Journal of Consumer Research, 39 , 39-50.
  
  Zhou, X., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Chen, X., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2012). Heartwarming memories: Nostalgia maintains physiological comfort. Emotion, 12 , 678-684.
  2011
  
  Hart, C. M., Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Arndt, J., Routledge, C., & Vingerhoets, Ad J. J. M. (2011). Nostalgic recollections of high and low narcissists. Journal of Research in Personality, 45 , 238-242.

• Fosters identity integration: Nostalgia can help individuals integrate different aspects of their identity, such as in the context of biculturalism. 

  
  Vess, M., Arndt, J., Routledge, C., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2012). Nostalgia as a resource for the self. Self and Identity, 3 , 273-284.
  
  Zhou, X., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Shi, K., & Feng, C. (2012). Nostalgia: The gift that keeps on giving. Journal of Consumer Research, 39 , 39-50.
  
  Zhou, X., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Chen, X., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2012). Heartwarming memories: Nostalgia maintains physiological comfort. Emotion, 12 , 678-684.
  2011
  
  Hart, C. M., Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Arndt, J., Routledge, C., & Vingerhoets, Ad J. J. M. (2011). Nostalgic recollections of high and low narcissists. Journal of Research in Personality, 45 , 238-242.

• Global self-continuity through holistic thinking: Nostalgia can strengthen a sense of self-continuity across different life domains. 

  
  Hepper, E. G., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Robertson, S., & Routledge, C. D. (2021). Time capsule: Nostalgia shields psychological wellbeing from limited time horizons. Emotion, 21(3), 644-664. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000728
  
  Hong, E. K., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2021). Nostalgia strengthens global self-continuity through holistic thinking. Cognition and Emotion, 35(4), 730-737. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2020.1862064
  
  Jiang, T., Cheung, W.-Y., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2021). Nostalgia, reflection, brooding: Psychological benefits and autobiographical memory functions. Consciousness and Cognition, 90, 103107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2021.103107

Other Benefits

• Feeling safe: Nostalgia can evoke feelings of safety and security. 

  
  Fleury, J., Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Coon, D., & Komnenich, P. (2022). Feeling safe and nostalgia in healthy aging. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 843051. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.843051
  
  Hong, E. K., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2022). How does nostalgia conduce to self-continuity? The roles of identity narrative, associative links, and stability. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 48(5), 735-749. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672211024889
  
  Ismail, S., Dodd, E., Christopher, G., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Cheston, R. (2021). The content and function of nostalgic memories of people living with dementia. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 94(4), 436-459. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150211024185

• Healthy aging: Nostalgia may play a role in promoting psychological and emotional well-being as people age. 

  
  Fleury, J., Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Coon, D., & Komnenich, P. (2022). Feeling safe and nostalgia in healthy aging. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 843051. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.843051
  
  Hong, E. K., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2022). How does nostalgia conduce to self-continuity? The roles of identity narrative, associative links, and stability. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 48(5), 735-749. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672211024889
  
  Ismail, S., Dodd, E., Christopher, G., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., & Cheston, R. (2021). The content and function of nostalgic memories of people living with dementia. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 94(4), 436-459. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150211024185

• The gift that keeps on giving: Nostalgia has lasting positive effects on mood and well-being. 

  
  Vess, M., Arndt, J., Routledge, C., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2012). Nostalgia as a resource for the self. Self and Identity, 3 , 273-284.
  
  Zhou, X., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Shi, K., & Feng, C. (2012). Nostalgia: The gift that keeps on giving. Journal of Consumer Research, 39 , 39-50.
  
  Zhou, X., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Chen, X., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2012). Heartwarming memories: Nostalgia maintains physiological comfort. Emotion, 12 , 678-684.
  2011
  
  Hart, C. M., Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Arndt, J., Routledge, C., & Vingerhoets, Ad J. J. M. (2011). Nostalgic recollections of high and low narcissists. Journal of Research in Personality, 45 , 238-242.

• Maintains physiological comfort: Nostalgia can contribute to physiological comfort and reduce stress. 

  
  Vess, M., Arndt, J., Routledge, C., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2012). Nostalgia as a resource for the self. Self and Identity, 3 , 273-284.
  
  Zhou, X., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Shi, K., & Feng, C. (2012). Nostalgia: The gift that keeps on giving. Journal of Consumer Research, 39 , 39-50.
  
  Zhou, X., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Chen, X., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2012). Heartwarming memories: Nostalgia maintains physiological comfort. Emotion, 12 , 678-684.
  2011
  
  Hart, C. M., Sedikides, C., Wildschut, T., Arndt, J., Routledge, C., & Vingerhoets, Ad J. J. M. (2011). Nostalgic recollections of high and low narcissists. Journal of Research in Personality, 45 , 238-242.

It is important to note that the research findings listed here represent a broad overview of the benefits associated with positive memories. Star Matrix amplifies these effects by using structured techniques to aid individuals in not only recalling high positive memories, the Star Memories, but also engaging with them deeply and relating these experiences to the current state, and the future.