Understanding the Antecedents of Adolescent Family Tourism Motivation: The Role of Adolescents’ Self-Differentiation and Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

This research investigates the effects of family tourism on family bonding and the physical and mental development of children, specifically focusing on the travel motivation of families with adolescents. Despite its significance, the antecedents and internal mechanisms driving this motivation remain unclear. To address this gap, we employed an interpretive sequential hybrid approach across two interconnected studies. Grounded in family systems theory, Study 1 examines the direct influence of parent-child bonds on family travel motivation, as well as the indirect effect through adolescents’ self-differentiation. Study 2 further explores the complex interplay between parent-child relationships, adolescents’ self-differentiation, and family travel motivation. Our findings emphasize the critical role of self-differentiation as an intermediary factor in shaping travel motivation, contributing valuable insights to both family tourism literature and practical applications.