Can mindfulness and nostalgia raise adolescents’ happiness and subjective well-being? : A quantitative study on the effects of using nostalgia and mindfulness as methods to raise happiness and subjective well-being amongst adolescents.

Abstract: Worldwide, 450 million people are estimated to have a mental health problem. Therefore this study set out with the aim to fill the gap in research on how to raise happiness and subjective well-being amongst adolescents. The sample of the study consisted of 90 students ranging from 16 - 19 years of age. They were randomly assigned to one of two methods; BPS (Best Personal Self) or nostalgia. Each group was then given varying instructions on a task they would perform on a daily basis, with tests taken on the first and last day of the study. The tests consisted of questions from the PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Scale) and the SWLS (Satisfaction with Life Scale), which would determine the different methods short- and long-term effect on the participants happiness and subjective well-being. A control group was used to compare the results of the test groups. The results indicated nostalgia as being the most effective way to raise short-term well-being amongst adolescents, which raised interesting questions for future studies.