Travel as a Catalyst of Peak Experiences Among Young Chinese Adults

Bibliographic Data

ID9057798
AuthorsEdward Hoffman (0000-0001-9789-5039, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, USA), Shan Jiang (0000-0001-7766-222X, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China, corresponding author), Yan Wang (0009-0009-9633-0023, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China), Mengzhe Li (0000-0003-2023-451X, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China)
Year2021
Volume61
Issue4
Pages608-628
Publication date2021-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Humanistic Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-1678 • E-ISSN: 1552-650X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0022167820938613
OpenAlexW3083005729
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited44

Humanistic psychology has pioneered in investigating travel as a contributor to personality growth. In this study, 182 native Chinese undergraduates responded to a survey inquiring if they had ever experienced “wonderful happiness” while engaged in tourism, and if so, to indicate the purpose of their travel, how recently and where their peak-experience occurred, whether they were alone or with others at the time, its intensity and subsequent impact on their view of life. Participants were also asked to describe the “trigger” of their peak-experience; these were coded into nine categories. A total of 86.8% (N=158) responded affirmatively, most of whom were touring within China. Peaks involving nature were reported significantly most frequently. A cluster involving interpersonal joy, serenity, and personal growth were reported second-most frequently, with relatively small frequencies relating to culture/aesthetics, culinary delight, and particularly materialism, skill mastery, and external achievement. More than 75% of participants rated their peak as “moderately” or “very” intense and 53.5% reported that it impacted their subsequent view of life. No significant gender differences emerged. The implications of these findings for understanding growth aspects of tourism among Chinese young adults are discussed, and future avenues of research are highlighted

China · Developmental psychology · Geography · Happiness · Humanism · Interpersonal communication · Life satisfaction · Personality · Tourism · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research · Psychology · Social Psychology

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