Exploring the Interplay of Psychological Need Satisfaction, Well-Being, and Behavioral Intentions in Tourism: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective

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.