‘Good Amongst the Grey Clouds!’ Nostalgia, Authenticity, and Well-Being in Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Study

Julie Ann Bennett; Jacqueline C Perrin; Mark Burgess; Clare J Rathbone; Kate Wilmut

doi:10.29333/ajqr/16034

Julie Ann Bennett ¹ ^* , Jacqueline C Perrin ¹, Mark Burgess ¹, Clare J Rathbone ², Kate Wilmut ²

More Detail

AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 9, Issue 1, pp. 196-218

https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16034

OPEN ACCESS 282 Views 188 Downloads

Download Full Text (PDF)

Abstract

Nostalgia promotes authenticity and well-being in non-autistic people. We explored whether this also holds true for autistic people, a group who experience reduced authenticity and well-being. We interviewed ten autistic young adults about nostalgic experiences, insights gained into the self, and nostalgia’s well-being benefits. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three themes: ‘The comfort of nostalgic memories’ included social connectedness and recognizing the self as accepted by others. ‘The hazards of nostalgic feelings’ involved avoiding challenging memories to prevent past sadness from infecting present experiences. ‘Growth and redemption’ involved recognizing self-development and overcoming obstacles. Despite being a challenging affective experience at times, for reflective participants, engaging in nostalgia brought a number of benefits: boosting mood, promoting feelings of social connectedness, self-esteem, as well as providing insight into the true self. Nostalgia can be used to enhance authenticity and well-being for autistic people by developing self-understanding and emphasizing the benefits of being open about who one is.

Keywords: Authenticity, autistic, emerging adulthood, nostalgia, self, well-being

References

Abeyta, A. A., & Pillarisetty, S. (2022). Nostalgia supports a meaningful life. Current Opinion in Psychology, 101520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101520
American Psychiatric Association, D. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (Vol. 5). American psychiatric association Washington, DC.
Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469-480. https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.55.5.469
Baldwin, M., Biernat, M., & Landau, M. J. (2015). Remembering the Real Me: Nostalgia Offers a Window to the Intrinsic Self. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(1), 128-147. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038033
Barlattani, T., D’Amelio, C., Cavatassi, A., De Luca, D., Di Stefano, R., Di Berardo, A.,…Renzi, G. (2023). Autism spectrum disorders and psychiatric comorbidities: a narrative review. Journal of Psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.36148/2284-0249-N281
Batcho, K. I. (1998). Personal Nostalgia, World View, Memory, and Emotionality. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 87(2), 411-432. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1998.87.2.411
Batcho, K. I. (2023). Nostalgia in Literature and Memoir. Current Opinion in Psychology, 101557.
Bennett, J., Rathbone, C. J., & Wilmut, K. (2024a). Nostalgia, authenticity and wellbeing in autistic and non-autistic young adults. Current Psychology, 1-14. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06296-8
Bennett, J., Wilmut, K., & Rathbone, C. J. (2024b). Music Evoked Nostalgia and Wellbeing in Autistic and Non-Autistic Young Adults. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-024-00192-z
Bottema-Beutel, K., Cuda, J., Kim, S. Y., Crowley, S., & Scanlon, D. (2020). High School Experiences and Support Recommendations of Autistic Youth. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(9), 3397-3412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04261-0
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012). Thematic analysis. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/13620-004
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative research in sport, exercise and health, 11(4), 589-597. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021a). Can I use TA? Should I use TA? Should I not use TA? Comparing reflexive thematic analysis and other pattern-based qualitative analytic approaches. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 21(1), 37-47. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12360
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021b). One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 328-352. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2020.1769238
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis. Qualitative Psychology, 9(1), 3-26. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000196
Cook, J., Hull, L., Crane, L., & Mandy, W. (2021). Camouflaging in autism: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 89, 102080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102080
Cooper, K., Russell, A., Calley, S., Chen, H., Kramer, J., & Verplanken, B. (2022). Cognitive processes in autism: Repetitive thinking in autistic versus non-autistic adults. Autism, 26(4), 849-858. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211034380
Cribb, S., Kenny, L., & Pellicano, E. (2019). ‘I definitely feel more in control of my life’: The perspectives of young autistic people and their parents on emerging adulthood. Autism, 23(7), 1765-1781. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361319830029
Cruz Puerto, M., & Sandín Vázquez, M. (2024). Understanding heterogeneity within autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review. Advances in Autism. https://doi.org/10.1108/aia-12-2023-0072
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "What" and "Why" of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self-Determination of Behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli1104_01
Fletcher-Watson, S., Adams, J., Brook, K., Charman, T., Crane, L., Cusack, J.,…Pellicano, E. (2019). Making the future together: Shaping autism research through meaningful participation. Autism, 23(4), 943-953. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318786721
Fletcher-Watson, S., & Happé, F. (2019). Autism: A new introduction to psychological theory and current debate. Routledge.
Garrido, S. (2018). The influence of personality and coping style on the affective outcomes of nostalgia: Is nostalgia a healthy coping mechanism or rumination? Personality and Individual Differences, 120, 259-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.07.021
Goldman, B. M., & Kernis, M. H. (2002). The role of authenticity in healthy psychological functioning and subjective well-being. Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association, 5(6), 18-20.
Grace, L., Dewhurst, S. A., & Anderson, R. J. (2016). A dysphoric's TALE: The relationship between the self-reported functions of autobiographical memory and symptoms of depression. Memory, 24(9), 1173-1181. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658211.2015.1084009
Hepper, E. G., Ritchie, T. D., Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2012). Odyssey's End: Lay Conceptions of Nostalgia Reflect Its Original Homeric Meaning. Emotion, 12(1), 102-119. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025167
Holmes, A. G. D. (2020). Researcher Positionality--A Consideration of Its Influence and Place in Qualitative Research--A New Researcher Guide. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 8(4), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v8i4.3232
Horney, K. (1950). Neurosis and Human Growth. The American Scholar, 19(4), 409-421.
Huang, A. X., Hughes, T. L., Sutton, L. R., Lawrence, M., Chen, X., Ji, Z., & Zeleke, W. (2017). Understanding the Self in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): A Review of Literature. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01422
Huggins, C. F., Donnan, G., Cameron, I. M., & Williams, J. H. (2021). Emotional self-awareness in autism: A meta-analysis of group differences and developmental effects. Autism, 25(2), 307-321. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320964306
Hull, L., Petrides, K. V., Allison, C., Smith, P., Baron-Cohen, S., Lai, M.-C., & Mandy, W. (2017). “Putting on My Best Normal”: Social Camouflaging in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(8), 2519-2534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5
Juhl, J., & Biskas, M. (2022). Nostalgia: An Impactful Social Emotion. Current Opinion in Psychology, 101545.
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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2022.104379
Kernis, M. H., & Goldman, B. M. (2006). A Multicomponent Conceptualization of Authenticity: Theory and Research. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 284-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(06)38006-9
Layous, K., & Kurtz, J. L. (2022). Nostalgia: A potential pathway to greater well-Being. Current Opinion in Psychology, 101548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101548
Layous, K., Kurtz, J. L., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2021). The effect of a multi-week nostalgia intervention on well-being: Mechanisms and moderation. Emotion (Washington, D.C.). https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000817
Lee, G. K., Curtiss, S. L., Kuo, H. J., Chun, J., Lee, H., & Nimako, D. D. (2022). The Role of Acceptance in the Transition to Adulthood: A Multi-Informant Comparison of Practitioners, Families, and Youth with Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(4), 1444-1457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05037-1
Leunissen, J., 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
Leunissen, J. M. (2022). Diamonds and rust: The affective ambivalence of Nostalgia. Current Opinion in Psychology, 101541.
Lever, A. G., & Geurts, H. M. (2016). Psychiatric Co-occurring Symptoms and Disorders in Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(6), 1916-1930. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2722-8
Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). The how of happiness: A scientific approach to getting the life you want. penguin.
Madoglou, A., Gkinopoulos, T., Xanthopoulos, P., & Kalamaras, D. (2017). Representations of autobiographical nostalgic memories: Generational effect, gender, nostalgia proneness and communication of nostalgic experiences. Journal of Integrated Social Sciences 7(1), 60 - 88.
Malterud, K., Siersma, V. D., & Guassora, A. D. (2016). Sample Size in Qualitative Interview Studies: Guided by Information Power. Qualitative Health Research, 26(13), 1753-1760. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732315617444
Markus, H., & Wurf, E. (1987). The Dynamic Self-Concept: A Social Psychological Perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 38(1), 299-337. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.38.020187.001503
Maye, M., Boyd, B. A., Martínez-Pedraza, F., Halladay, A., Thurm, A., & Mandell, D. S. (2022). Biases, Barriers, and Possible Solutions: Steps Towards Addressing Autism Researchers Under-Engagement with Racially, Ethnically, and Socioeconomically Diverse Communities. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(9), 4206-4211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05250-y
McAdams, D. P., Reynolds, J., Lewis, M., Patten, A. H., & Bowman, P. J. (2001). When Bad Things Turn Good and Good Things Turn Bad: Sequences of Redemption and Contamination in Life Narrative and their Relation to Psychosocial Adaptation in Midlife Adults and in Students. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27(4), 474-485. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167201274008
McDonnell, C. G., & Nuttall, A. K. (2018). The broad autism phenotype and emotion regulation: The mediating role of autobiographical memory specificity. Personality and Individual Differences, 134, 131-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.06.008
Naidu, E., Gabriel, S., Wildschut, T., & Sedikides, C. (2024). Reliving the good old days: Nostalgia increases psychological wellbeing through collective effervescence. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 15(1), 22-32. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506221149813
Newman, D. B., & Sachs, M. E. (2020). The Negative Interactive Effects of Nostalgia and Loneliness on Affect in Daily Life. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 8, Article 2185. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02185
Newman, D. B., & Sachs, M. E. (2022). Variation in bittersweet nostalgic feelings and their divergent effects on daily well-being. Emotion (Washington, D.C.). https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001137
Newman, D. B., Sachs, M. E., Stone, A. A., & Schwarz, N. (2020). Nostalgia and Well-Being in Daily Life: An Ecological Validity Perspective [Article]. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118(2), 325-347. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000236
Nguyen, W., Ownsworth, T., Nicol, C., & Zimmerman, D. (2020). How I See and Feel About Myself: Domain-Specific Self-Concept and Self-Esteem in Autistic Adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 913. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00913
Norris, J. E., Crane, L., & Maras, K. (2020). Interviewing autistic adults: Adaptations to support recall in police, employment, and healthcare interviews. Autism, 24(6), 1506-1520. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320909174
Pellicano, E., Adams, D., Crane, L., Hollingue, C., Allen, C., Almendinger, K.,…Wheeley, E. (2023). A possible threat to data integrity for online qualitative autism research. Autism, 13623613231174543. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613231174543
Roche, L., Adams, D., & Clark, M. (2021). Research priorities of the autism community: A systematic review of key stakeholder perspectives. Autism, 25(2), 336-348. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320967790
Rogers, C. (1961). On Becoming A Person: A Therapist’s View of Psychotherapy. US: Houghton Mifflin.
Sedgewick, F., Hull, L., & Ellis, H. (2022). Autism and masking : how and why people do it, and the impact it can have. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Sedikides, C., & Wildschut, T. (2023). The Psychological, Social, and Societal Relevance of Nostalgia. Current Opinion in Psychology, 52, 101609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101609
South, M., & Rodgers, J. (2017). Sensory, Emotional and Cognitive Contributions to Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00020
Sparby, T., Edelhäuser, F., & Weger, U. W. (2019). The true self. Critique, nature, and method. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 2250. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02250
Strohminger, N., Knobe, J., & Newman, G. (2017). The true self: A psychological concept distinct from the self. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(4), 551-560. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691616689495
Trapnell, P. D., & Campbell, J. D. (1999). Private Self-Consciousness and the Five-Factor Model of Personality: Distinguishing Rumination From Reflection. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(2), 284-304. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.76.2.284
Umagami, K., Remington, A., Lloyd-Evans, B., Davies, J., & Crane, L. (2022). Loneliness in autistic adults: A systematic review. Autism, 26(8), 2117-2135. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221077721
Umar Ismail, S., Cheston, R., Christopher, G., & Meyrick, J. (2020). Nostalgia as a psychological resource for people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence of effectiveness from experimental studies. Dementia, 19(2), 330-351. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301218774909
Van Heijst, B. F., & Geurts, H. M. (2015). Quality of life in autism across the lifespan: A meta-analysis. Autism, 19(2), 158-167. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313517053
Wang, Y., Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Wu, M., & Cai, H. (2023). Trajectory of Nostalgia in Emerging Adulthood. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 01461672221143241. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672221143241
Wildschut, T., Sedikides, C., Arndt, J., & Routledge, C. (2006). Nostalgia: Content, triggers, functions [Review]. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(5), 975-993. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.91.5.975
Wood, A. M., Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Baliousis, M., & Joseph, S. (2008). The Authentic Personality: A Theoretical and Empirical Conceptualization and the Development of the Authenticity Scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 55(3), 385-399.

Citation

Bennett, J. A., Perrin, J. C., Burgess, M., Rathbone, C. J., & Wilmut, K. (2025). ‘Good Amongst the Grey Clouds!’ Nostalgia, Authenticity, and Well-Being in Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Study. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 9(1), 196-218. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16034

Bennett, J. A., Perrin, J. C., Burgess, M., Rathbone, C. J., and Wilmut, K. (2025). ‘Good Amongst the Grey Clouds!’ Nostalgia, Authenticity, and Well-Being in Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Study. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 9(1), pp. 196-218. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16034

Bennett JA, Perrin JC, Burgess M, Rathbone CJ, Wilmut K. ‘Good Amongst the Grey Clouds!’ Nostalgia, Authenticity, and Well-Being in Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Study. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2025;9(1), 196-218. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16034

Bennett, Julie Ann, Jacqueline C Perrin, Mark Burgess, Clare J Rathbone, and Kate Wilmut. "‘Good Amongst the Grey Clouds!’ Nostalgia, Authenticity, and Well-Being in Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Study". American Journal of Qualitative Research 2025 9 no. 1 (2025): 196-218. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16034

Bennett, Julie Ann et al. "‘Good Amongst the Grey Clouds!’ Nostalgia, Authenticity, and Well-Being in Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Study". American Journal of Qualitative Research, vol. 9, no. 1, 2025, pp. 196-218. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16034

Bennett JA, Perrin JC, Burgess M, Rathbone CJ, Wilmut K. ‘Good Amongst the Grey Clouds!’ Nostalgia, Authenticity, and Well-Being in Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Study. AM J QUALITATIVE RES. 2025;9(1):196-218. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/16034