Abstract
The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to explore the effects of music on nostalgia, and
assess whether practicing nostalgia results in a happier and more optimistic person. The purposive
sample of 90 participants comprising young Irish adults aged 20-30 (n=45) and older Irish adults aged
65-75 (n=45) partook in a quasi-experimental, cross-sectional study in two experimental groups plus a
third control group. Sad and happy nostalgic music triggers were administered to experimental groups
and in one setting, empirically measured by a written questionnaire to examine influences on the
criterion variables: nostalgia proneness, optimism behaviours and happiness levels. The analysis showed
significant effects of sad music on nostalgia. No significant relationships were found between nostalgia
behaviour and happiness/optimism. Significantly, this is the first nostalgia study undertaken in an Irish
context, and indicates the effectiveness of sad music to trigger nostalgia, which in itself is deemed to be
beneficial to psychological functions. Author keywords: nostalgia, music-evoked memories, optimism, happiness, sad music
