Rather than signaling an unhealthy attachment to the past, a series of studies indicate that nostalgia may act as a buffer against loneliness, by increasing perceptions of social support.
Psychologist Ding-Guo Gao from Sun Yat-Sen University in China, one of the authors of a report published in the journal Psychological Science explains, "A person immersed in nostalgia can feel connected even when he or she is alone." The findings also reveal that resilient individuals are more likely to use nostalgia to overcome feelings of loneliness.
Nostalgia is a common human experience practiced by individuals of all ages in cultures throughout the world. Indeed, "it is now emerging as a fundamental human strength," writes Constantine Sedikides, a psychologist at England's University of Southampton, in a recent issue of the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science. He and colleagues believe it functions as a link between past and present, helping individuals find meaning in their personal history.
