Longing for the Past: The Power and Possibilities of Constructing Narratives of Music-Evoked Nostalgia

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Looking Back: Narrating and Learning

Abstract

Nostalgia is defined as a “sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past,” (Michels-Ratliff & Ennis, 2016, p. 8). This study employed an innovative narrative approach to evoke the phenomenon of nostalgia with the goal to give power and voice to adults with symptoms of dementia. Findings illuminated the potential to use music-evoked nostalgia to increase quality of life across the age span. Researchers will share the study’s approach for using music to give “voice” to the participant during interviews. New methods on ways music can be used within narrative inquiry to establish rapport, evoke deeper narratives, and use music to disseminate findings will be shared. Participants will leave with strategies to use in their own research studies.

Authors

• Alycia Sterenberg Mahon, Western Michigan University

• June Elizabeth Gothberg, Cornell University