When the power of nostalgia is diminished : disentangle the conditional effects of cognitive styles on goal engagement

Abstract

Originally viewed as a mental affliction concerning excessive preoccupation with the past, research now positions nostalgia as a nourishing psychological asset. Extending beyond intrapersonal benefits like well-being, self-esteem and optimism, nostalgia bolsters social connectedness and prosociality. Significantly, nostalgia also bears implications for motivational potency. The current study investigated nostalgia's relationship with goal pursuit, including the moderating role of cognitive styles (i.e., rumination and reflection). A cross-sectional design measured 107 participants across four blocks: 1) trait nostalgia, 2) cognitive styles, 3) state nostalgia (vs. control), and 4) goal motivation. Additionally, affect changes throughout were tracked. While findings replicated nostalgia’s strengthening of goal engagement, reflection interacted conditionally with nostalgia, whereas rumination emerged as an independent predictor. Nuanced affective patterns also emerged, with differential interactions between the different stages, trait nostalgia, cognitive styles, and goal pursuit. Overall, albeit nostalgia functions adaptively as a psychological resource, findings suggest its capacities are intricately contingent on one’s internal attributes.