Exploring the Interplay of Psychological Need Satisfaction, Well-Being, and Behavioral Intentions in Tourism

A Self-Determination Theory Perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID10919902
AuthorsYoungsoo Kim (0000-0001-8156-3734, University of Aberdeen, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume65
Issue1
Pages222-241
Publication date2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTravel Research Bulletin (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0147-2399 • E-ISSN: 1552-6763
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00472875241283404
OpenAlexW4402989442
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited80

Psychological need satisfaction can contribute to psychological benefits and future actions. Building on self-determination theory, this research suggested the model of psychological need satisfaction–well-being–behavioral intentions in tourism. Specifically, two-stage strategies were utilized to investigate the distinct and integrated role of psychological need satisfaction in positively predicting well-being (hedonic and eudaimonic well-being) that affects behavioral intentions (revisit intention, word-of-mouth intention). The first-stage model identified that a holiday trip offered experiences to fulfill psychological needs, such as autonomy, relatedness, and competence; most of these significantly affected hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, as well as revisit intention. The second-stage model confirmed significant impacts of psychological need satisfaction on well-being, revisit intention, and word-of-mouth intention. Furthermore, hedonic well-being was significantly associated with revisit intention and word-of-mouth intention, while eudaimonic well-being did not significantly predict them. Research findings make significant contributions to tourism literature and practices by extending the role of psychological need satisfaction

Perspective (graphical) · Political science · Self-determination theory · Tourism · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Computer Science · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Social Psychology

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