The Mediating Effects of Film Attitude and Social Connectedness on the Relationship Between Vicarious Nostalgia and Political Efficacy: A Study of Young Adult Audiences Aged 20-39 of 12.12: The Day

This study examined the relationship between vicarious nostalgia and political efficacy, focusing on the mediating roles of film attitude and social connectedness, among young adult audiences aged 20-39 who watched the film "12.12:The Day." Vicarious nostalgia refers to emotional longing for a past one has not directly experienced, making it a suitable concept for explaining the MZ generation's intense emotional responses to the film depicting 1980s political events.A survey of 244 MZ generation respondents aged 20 to 39 was conducted, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze relationships among variables.The results showed that vicarious nostalgia was significantly and positively associated with both film attitude and social connectedness.Film attitude was significantly associated with social connectedness and political efficacy, and social connectedness was significantly associated with political efficacy.Mediation analysis confirmed statistically significant indirect effects through three pathways: via film attitude, via social connectedness, and sequentially through both mediators.These findings provide empirical grounds for understanding the relationships among vicarious nostalgia, film attitude, social connectedness, and political efficacy within a political communication context.By examining vicarious nostalgia evoked by cultural content in relation to social connectedness, this study extends the scope of nostalgia research.It offers a basis for examining the political and social significance of cultural content that portrays historical narratives.