Exploring Effects of a Nostalgic Storytelling Virtual Reality Experience Beyond Hedonism

Huang, Yitong; Benford, Steve; Spence, Jocelyn; Blake, Holly

Abstract

In this study, we tested the effect of a nostalgic storytelling virtual reality (VR) experience (vs. a text-reading neutral VR experience as the comparison condition) on state-level eudaimonic well-being and explored the underlying mediating mechanisms. In a within-subject experimental design, all 31 participants experienced both versions of the VR in pseudorandomized and counterbalanced order. Compared with the text-reading VR experience, the nostalgic storytelling VR resulted in significantly higher hedonic and eudaimonic entertainment media gratifications (aka. media enjoyment and media appreciation, respectively), social connectedness, and state-level well-being. Moreover, the relationship between VR and well-being was serially mediated by the level of state nostalgia and eudaimonic media gratifications. That is, the nostalgic storytelling VR was found to evoke state nostalgia, which led to a greater appreciation of the VR experience; this appreciation, in turn, contributed to increased state-level well-being. Implications of the study findings for future research and practice are discussed.

Citation

Huang, Y., Benford, S., Spence, J., & Blake, H. (2024). Exploring Effects of a Nostalgic Storytelling Virtual Reality Experience Beyond Hedonism. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 27(3), 221-226. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0183

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 20, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 28, 2023
• Publication Date: Mar 8, 2024
• Deposit Date: Dec 11, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 29, 2024
• Journal: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
• Print ISSN: 2152-2715
• Electronic ISSN: 2152-2723
• Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 221-226
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0183
• Keywords: Virtual Reality; Nostalgia; Eudaimonia; Meaningful Media; Psychological Wellbeing
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/28419662
• Publisher URL: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/cyber.2023.0183
• Additional Information: Final publication is available from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.: https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0183