COVID-19 memories young adults may share: exploring event properties and motivations for transmission

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has left an enduring mark on human history. This study investigates the intergenerational transmission of COVID-19 memories through a unique approach involving 49 participants aged 18-30. Specifically, participants were prompted to share a COVID-19 memory they would choose to transmit to their future children. Furthermore, participants provided reasons for selecting that particular memory, utilising a memory functions scale and open-ended responses. Applying Transition Theory, we examined the transitional impact, event importance, previous rehearsal, and valence of reported memories. Results revealed that 88% of memories revolve around distinctive events inducing psychological and material changes. Perceived as significant, negative, and transitional, these memories are predominantly public in nature. Predictors of event importance include previous rehearsal and psychological change. Participants share memories primarily for directive purposes, intending to inform future generations. The results imply that transitions not only organise personal memories but may also direct and shape memories for public events.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19 memories
• intergenerational transmission
• collective memory
• transitional theory‌

Author contributions

Author 2,3, and 4 collected the data and wrote the first draft. Author 1 designed the study and analysed the data and re-wrote the entire manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [T.U], upon reasonable request.

Notes

1 Cologne (kolonya), a traditional Turkish disinfectant and national symbol, was in great demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally introduced in the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II (1870–1909), cologne has been an integral part of daily cultural life, valued for its sanitizing and aromatic properties (Yentürk & Yentürk, 2001). It became customary to offer cologne to guests in Turkish homes as a gesture of hospitality. Due to its high alcohol content (around 70%), which is known to kill viruses, cologne became a staple item in households across Turkey during the pandemic (BBC Travel, 2020 ; Öğütlü, 2020).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.