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Remembering the Good Times: The Influence of Relationship Nostalgia on Relationship Satisfaction Across Time
Author(s) -
Mallory Allen B.,
Spencer Chelsea M.,
Kimmes Jonathan G.,
Pollitt Amanda M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/jmft.12311
Subject(s) - psychology , association (psychology) , romance , positive relationship , affect (linguistics) , social psychology , developmental psychology , psychoanalysis , psychotherapist , communication
We conducted two studies to understand if reminiscing about early parts of a romantic relationship can increase positive affect and relationship satisfaction. In Study 1, we examined the psychometrics of an adapted relationship nostalgia measure, if relationship nostalgia changes positive affect, and if relationship nostalgia and relationship satisfaction are associated. In Study 2, we tested the longitudinal link between relationship nostalgia and relationship satisfaction. Rather than increasing positive affect, relationship nostalgia is associated with a movement toward emotional homeostasis. Additionally, relationship nostalgia is positively associated with relationship satisfaction at the same time point but in the short term, the association is negative—long term, this association disappears. Implications for using a relationship history in therapy are discussed.