‘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

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

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

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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

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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