But the memories last forever.... Vacation Reminiscence and Recovery from Job Stress:A Psychological Needs Perspective

This study examined the buffering effects of vacation reminiscing on stress above other positive memories. Satisfaction of six psychological needs is expected to explain the relationship between vacation (memories) and wellbeing: Detachment, Relaxation, Autonomy, Mastery, Meaning and Affiliation (= DRAMMA). The current laboratory study with a student population (N = 85) measured fatigue before and after demanding tasks, and subsequently applied a written reminiscence assignment of a nice holiday or a nice evening (control group). Written texts were analyzed for satisfaction of the six needs. Qualitative analyses showed that all six DRAMMA mechanisms could be found in the written holiday memories. Repeated measures ANOVAs showed that reminiscing was beneficial for recovery from stress, in particularly when containing the needs Autonomy and Affiliation. However, no difference between the two experimental groups was found concerning the decrease in fatigue. Written reminiscence on positive past events seems to help people to recover from stress after cognitively draining tasks