What Makes People Like Dreamcore Aesthetics? the Role of Trait Nostalgia in Preferences for Dreamcore Imagery

Abstract

<p>Dreamcore is a digital aesthetic with familiar-yet-strange and often unsettling elements linked to dreams. Despite its rapid online popularity, its psychological appeal remains unexplored. This study examined the relationship between trait nostalgia (TN) and Dreamcore image liking (DIL) in 449 adults aged 18–40. TN was assessed using the Southampton Nostalgia Scale and the Personal Inventory of Nostalgic Experiences, while DIL was measured via ratings of 18 selected Dreamcore images. Factor analyses suggested TN as a unidimensional construct, whereas DIL comprised two factors: darker/eerie (DIL-F1) and warmer/comforting (DIL-F2) imagery. Structural equation modeling showed that TN was positively associated with both dimensions of DIL, with no significant differences in effect size. The findings provide preliminary evidence that nostalgia may contribute to Dreamcore aesthetic engagement, reflecting psychological needs during specific periods and offering exploratory insights into individual differences in aesthetic preferences and implications for cultural and media research.<br></p>