Can psychological wellbeing be a predictor of change through travel? An exploratory study on young Dutch travellers

This paper focuses on the impact of psychological wellbeing on the change perceived after a travel experience by young students. Wellbeing is investigated as a consequence and not as an antecedent of travel, though literature assumes the subjectivity of the travel experience. Expanding on existing literature, it is hypothesized that ‘change through travel’ is a three-dimensional concept: travellers may feel changed in their relationship with themselves, the other and the natural environment. In 2015 a survey was designed to explore the impact of wellbeing on change as a benefit from travel and a questionnaire administrated in a Dutch university. PCA confirmed the hypothesis and showed three-dimensionality of change. Logistic regression models assessed the impact of wellbeing on change. Results suggest that four out of six wellbeing components (positive relations to others, autonomy, purpose in life, self-acceptance) influence the dimensions of change. Implications of these results for academics and professionals are discussed.