THE INFLUENCE OF PERCEIVED RESTORATIVENESS ON TOURISTS' ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIORS: CHAIN MEDIATION AND MODERATING EFFECT

Hui-ling ZHOU; Zhe ZHOU; Ya-jun JIANG; Jin-wei WANG

doi:10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2026.01.012

PDF(2779 KB)

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (1) : 127-137. DOI: 10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2026.01.012

Tourism

THE INFLUENCE OF PERCEIVED RESTORATIVENESS ON TOURISTS' ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIORS: CHAIN MEDIATION AND MODERATING EFFECT

Hui-ling ZHOU ¹ ,
Zhe ZHOU ¹ ,
Ya-jun JIANG ¹ ,
Jin-wei WANG ²^,³^,*

Author information +

History +

Abstract

The restorative function of ecotourism in providing restorative experiences for tourists has been widely recognized in academic literature. A critical research gap persists regarding the precise mechanism through which ecotourism's distinctive restorative experiences influence behavior by enhancing emotional connections between tourists and natural environments. This study takes Qingxiu Mountain in Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as the case study site. Grounded in the Cognition-Affection-Conation theory, we develop a comprehensive model examining how tourists' perceived restorativeness influences environmentally responsible behavior. Four principal findings emerge from the analysis: 1) Perceived restorativeness demonstrates a significant positive direct effect on environmentally responsible behavior. 2) Both environmental self-identity and environmental empathy function as independent mediators in the relationship between perceived restorativeness and environmentally responsible behavior. 3) These two mediators form a sequential mediation chain linking perceived restorativeness to environmentally responsible behavior. 4) Ecological value exhibits differential moderating effects.

Key words

ecotourism destinations / perceived restorativeness / environmental self-identity / environmentally responsible behavior

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

Hui-ling ZHOU , Zhe ZHOU , Ya-jun JIANG , et al. THE INFLUENCE OF PERCEIVED RESTORATIVENESS ON TOURISTS' ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIORS: CHAIN MEDIATION AND MODERATING EFFECT[J]. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY. 2026, 41(1): 127-137 https://doi.org/10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2026.01.012

References

List( Publishing order | Descend order by publishing year | Descend order by cited within ) Chart analysis

1	杨振之. 再论旅游的本质[J]. 旅游学刊, 2022, 37 (4): 140- 152. Yang Zhenzhi . Rethink on the essence of tourism[J]. Tourism Tribune, 2022, 37 (4): 140- 152. Cited in this article [1]

2	李明辉, 谢辉. 中外生态旅游者动机与行为的比较研究[J]. 旅游科学, 2008, 22 (3): 18- 23. Li Minghui , Xie Hui . A comparative study on the motivational and behavioral characteristics of Chinese and foreign eco-eourists[J]. Tourism Science, 2008, 22 (3): 18- 23. Cited in this article [1]

3	奚望, 陈钢华, 胡宪洋. 旅游度假区游客地方依恋对心理恢复的影响研究——环境恢复性感知的中介作用[J]. 旅游科学, 2021, 35 (3): 79- 99. Xi Wang , Chen Ganghua , Hu Xianyang . A study of the impact of vacationers' place attachment and mental[J]. Tourism Science, 2021, 35 (3): 79- 99. Cited in this article [3]

4	Yao Y , Wang G , Ren L , et al. Exploring tourist citizenship behavior in wellness tourism destinations: The role of recovery perception and psychological ownership[J]. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 2023, 55, 209- 219. Cited in this article [4]

韩秋晨, 乌铁红, 伊如汗, 等. 行随境迁: 草原旅游情境游客环境感知与亲环境行为研究[J]. 人文地理, 2024, 39 (5): 158- 166.

https://doi.org/10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2024.05.017

Han

Qiuchen

, Wu

Tiehong

, Yi

Ruhan

, et al. Behaviors follow the environment: Environmental perceptions and pro-environmental behaviors of tourists in grassland tourism[J]. Human Geography, 2024, 39 (5): 158- 166.

https://doi.org/10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2024.05.017

Cited in this article [2]

6	闫曾. 生态旅游对植物多样性的影响与保护效果评估[J]. 分子植物育种, 2024, 22 (19): 6548- 6553. Yan Zeng . Assessment of the impact of ecotourism on plant biodiversity and its protection effect[J]. Molecular Plant Breeding, 2024, 22 (19): 6548- 6553. Cited in this article [1]

罗文斌, 张小花, 钟诚, 等. 城市自然景区游客环境责任行为影响因素研究[J]. 中国人口·资源与环境, 2017, 27 (5): 161- 169.

Luo

Wenbin

, Zhang

Xiaohua

, Zhong

cheng

, et al. Research on the influencing factors of tourists' environmental responsibility[J]. China Population, Resources and Environment, 2017, 27 (5): 161- 169.

Cited in this article [2]

8	Zhou X L , Tang C C , Lv X Y , et al. Visitor engagement, relationship quality, and environ-mentally responsible behavior[J]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020, 17 (4): 1151. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041151 Cited in this article [3]

9	Bilynets I , Knezevic C L . Tourist pro-environmental behaviour: The role of environmental i-mage of destination and daily behaviour[J]. Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, 2022, 3 (2): 100070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annnale.2022.100070 Cited in this article [1]

10	Luo B , Bai Y , Zhang M . Being there: How sensory impressions influence tourists' pro-env-ironmental behaviors[J]. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 2024, 59, 210- 221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2024.04.014 Cited in this article [4]

11	Lee T H . How recreation involvement, place attachment and conservation commitment affect environmentally responsible behavior[J]. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2011, 19 (7): 895- 915. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2011.570345 Cited in this article [2]

杨占东, 赵晨蕾, 董耀华, 等. 露营旅游者环境责任行为的形成路径研究——基于不留痕迹态度的中介作用[J]. 干旱区资源与环境, 2023, 37 (5): 177- 183.

Yang

Zhandong

, Zhao

Chenlei

, Dong

Yaohua

, et al. A study on camping tourist's environmentally responsible behavior formation path based on the mediating role of leave no trace attitude[J]. Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment, 2023, 37 (5): 177- 183.

Cited in this article [3]

谢慧贤, 黄国琼, 张朝枝. 自然遗产灾后旅游的风险和价值: 游客共情对修复完整性感知及行为意愿的影响[J]. 旅游学刊, 2024: 1-17. http://doi.org/10.19765/j.cnki.1002-5006.2024.00.033.

Xie Huixian, Huang Guoqiong, Zhang Chaozhi. Risk and value in post-disaster tourism for natural heritage: The moderating effect of tourist empathy on perceived integrity and behavioral in-tentions[J]. Tourism Tribune, 2024: 1-17. http://doi.org/10.19765/j.cnki.1002-5006.2024.00.033.

Cited in this article [1]

14	Stern P C , Dietz T , Abel T . A value-belief-norm theory of support for social movements: The case of environmentalism[J]. Human Ecology Review, 1999, 6 (2): 81- 97. Cited in this article [4]

15	王海东, 曹银芝. 儒家"天人合一"思想新探[J]. 理论学刊, 2024 (2): 160- 169. Wang Donghai , Cao Yinzhi . A new exploration of the confucian thought of "harmony between heaven and man"[J]. Theory Journal, 2024 (2): 160- 169. Cited in this article [1]

16	Torres-Moraga E I , Alonso-Dos-Santos M , Carvajal-Trujillo E . Green hotel patronage intention through biospheric values[J]. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 2021, 27, 602- 612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.01.028 Cited in this article [1]

17	Gupta A , Arora N , Sharma R , et al. Determinants of tourists' site-specific environmentally responsible behavior: An eco-sensitive zone perspective[J]. Journal of Travel Research, 2022, 61 (6): 1267- 1286. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875211030328 Cited in this article [3]

18	Han H . Travelers' pro-environmental behavior in a green lodging context: Converging value-belief-norm theory and the theory of planned behavior[J]. Tourism Management, 2015, 47, 164- 177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2014.09.014 Cited in this article [1]

19	Kiatkawsin K , Han H . Young travelers' intention to behave pro-environmentally: Merging the value-belief-norm theory and the expectancy theory[J]. Tourism Management, 2017, 59, 76- 88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.06.018 Cited in this article [1]

20	Chen Y , Zhang S , Peng P , et al. Formation mechanism of tourists' pro-environmental behavior in Wuyishan national park, China: Based on ecological values[J]. Forests, 2024, 15 (5): 777. https://doi.org/10.3390/515050777 Cited in this article [1]

段正梁, 彭振, 贺小荣. 旅游者生态价值观对其环境责任行为的影响——以岳麓山风景区为例[J]. 地域研究与开发, 2021, 40 (1): 132-137, 167.

Duan

Zhengliang

, Peng

Zhen

, He

Xiaorong

. Impact of tourists' ecological values on their environmental responsibility behavior: The case of Yuelu mountain scenic areas[J]. Areal Research and Development, 2021, 40 (1): 132-137, 167.

Cited in this article [2]

金红燕, 孙根年, 张兴泰, 等. 传统村落旅游真实性对旅游者环境责任行为的影响研究——怀旧和道家生态价值观的作用[J]. 浙江大学学报(理学版), 2022, 49 (1): 121- 130.

Jin

Hongyan

, Sun

Gennian

, Zhang

Xingtai

, et al. Effect of tourism authenticity on tourist's environmentally responsible[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University(Science Edition), 2022, 49 (1): 121- 130.

Cited in this article [3]

陈阁芝, 曾泰源. 旅游地支持与游客环境责任行为——兼论生态价值观的调节效应[J]. 地域研究与开发, 2023, 42 (2): 106-110, 117.

Chen

Gezhi

, Zeng

Taiyuan

. Destination support and tourist environmentally responsible behavior: Ecological values as a moderator[J]. Areal Research and Development, 2023, 42 (2): 106-110, 117.

Cited in this article [3]

黄杰, 黄安民, 杨飞飞, 等. 旅游者恢复性环境感知与游后行为意向——影响机制和边界条件[J]. 旅游学刊, 2022, 37 (2): 31- 45.

Huang

Jie

, Huang

Anmin

, Yang

Feifei

, et al. Tourists' perceived restorative qualities and post-visit behavioral intention: The mechanism and boundary condition[J]. Tourism Tribune, 2022, 37 (2): 31- 45.

Cited in this article [2]

25	Lehto X , Kirillova K , Li H , et al. A cross-cultural validation of the perceived destination r-estorative qualities scale: The Chinese perspective[J]. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 2017, 22 (3): 329- 343. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2016.1250794 Cited in this article [1]

杨正轩, 殷进. 冰雪旅游情境下幸福感作用机制探究——环境恢复性感知的前因作用与游客涉入的调节效应[J]. 资源开发与市场, 2022, 38 (12): 1418-1426, 1450.

Yang

Zhengxuan

, Yin

Jin

. The mechanisms of tourists' well-being in the ice and snow tourism: The effects of perception of environmental restoration and the moderation of tourist involvement[J]. Resource Development & Market, 2022, 38 (12): 1418-1426, 1450.

Cited in this article [3]

27	Lehto X Y . Assessing the perceived restorative qualities of vacation destinations[J]. Journal of Travel Research, 2013, 52 (3): 325- 339. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287512461567 Cited in this article [2]

胡淇淇, 林巧华, 林榅荷. 森林公园恢复性知觉对旅游者环境责任行为的影响机制[J]. 林业经济问题, 2023, 43 (5): 539- 550.

Qiqi

, Lin

Qiaohua

, Lin

Yunhe

. The influence mechanism of restorative perception on tourists' environmental responsibility behaviors in forest parks[J]. Issues of Forestry Economics, 2023, 43 (5): 539- 550.

Cited in this article [2]

29	Schwarz N . Feelings as Information: Implications for Affective In fluences on Information Processing[M]. Hove: Psychology Press, 2001: 159- 176. Cited in this article [1]

30	Oliver R L . Whence consumer loyalty?[J]. Journal of Marketing, 1999, 63, 33- 44. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222429990634s105 Cited in this article [1]

31	Qiu H , Wang G , Ren L , et al. The impact of restorative destination environments on tourists' well-being and environmentally responsible behavior: A reasonable person model[J]. Tourism Management Perspectives, 2022, 44, 101028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2022.101028 Cited in this article [2]

32	Cook A J , Kerr G N , Moore K . Attitudes and intentions towards purchasing GM food[J]. Journal of Economic Psychology, 2002, 23 (5): 557- 572. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-4870(02)00117-4 Cited in this article [1]

佘升翔, 李事成, 侯治平, 等. 数字化绿色行为溢出的助推策略及其机理——基于蚂蚁森林情境的研究[J]. 外国经济与管理, 2024, 46 (7): 38- 52.

She

Shengxiang

, Li

Shicheng

, Hou

Zhiping

, et al. Promotion strategies and mechanisms of digital green behavior spillover: Based on the ant forest context[J]. Foreign Economics & Management, 2024, 46 (7): 38- 52.

Cited in this article [3]

Van Der Werff

, Steg

, Keizer

. It is a moral issue: The relationship between environmental self-identity, obligation-based intrinsic motivation and pro-environmental behaviour[J]. Global Environmental Change-Human and Policy Dimensions, 2013, 23 (5): 1258- 1265.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2013.07.018

Cited in this article [1]

35	Hu X , Huang S , Chen G , et al. The effects of perceived destination restorative qualities on tourists' self-identity: A tale of two destinations[J]. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 2022, 25, 100724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2022.100724 Cited in this article [2]

36	Korpela K , Hartig T . Restorative qualities of favorite places[J]. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 1996, 16 (3): 221- 233. https://doi.org/10.1006/jevp.1996.0018 Cited in this article [2]

37	Tang H , Ma Y , Ren J . Influencing factors and mechanism of tourists' pro-environmental behavior: Empirical analysis of the CAC-MOA integration model[J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2022, 13, 1060404. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1060404 Cited in this article [4]

38	Chen X , Mak B , Kankhuni Z . Storytelling approach of the self-reported slow adventure to Tibet: Constructing experience and identity[J]. Tourism Management Perspectives, 2020, 35, 100679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2020.100679 Cited in this article [1]

39	Rogers C R . The necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change[J]. Psychotherapy, 2007, 44 (3): 240- 248. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-3204.44.3.240 Cited in this article [1]

40	Tam K P . Concepts and measures related to connection to nature: Similarities and differences[J]. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2013, 34, 64- 78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.01.004 Cited in this article [1]

41	Musitu-Ferrer D , Esteban-Ibañez M , León-Moreno C , et al. Is school adjustment related to environmental empathy and connectedness to nature?[J]. Psychosocial Intervention, 2019, 28 (2): 101- 110. https://doi.org/10.5093/pi2019a8 Cited in this article [1]

Chen

G Y

, Zou

M X

, Ran

, et al. The effects of environmental empathy and sustainable intelligence on wetland tourists' revisit intention using an extended model of goal-directed behavior[J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2023, 419, 138288.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138288

Cited in this article [4]

43	Batson C D , Chang J , Orr R , et al. Empathy, attitudes, and action: Can feeling for a member of a stigmatized group motivate one to help the group?[J]. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2002, 28 (12): 1656- 1666. https://doi.org/10.1177/014616702237647 Cited in this article [1]

44	Tam K P . Dispositional empathy with nature[J]. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2013, 35, 92- 104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.05.004 Cited in this article [4]

45	Mcknight D M . Overcoming "ecophobia": Fostering environmental empathy through narrative in children's science literature[J]. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 2010, 8 (6): E10- E15. Cited in this article [1]

46	Kim S C , Cooke S L . Using the health belief model to explore the impact of environmental empathy on behavioral intentions to protect ocean health[J]. Environment and Behavior, 2021, 53 (8): 811- 836. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916520932637 Cited in this article [2]

宋迎洁, 陈佑成, 马永强. 茶庄园游客恢复性环境感知对价值共创行为的影响机理研究[J]. 林业经济问题, 2024, 44 (6): 627- 636.

Song

Yingjie

, Chen

Youcheng

, Ma

Yongqiang

. The influence mechanism of restorative environment perception of tea manors tourists on value co-creation behaviors[J]. Issues of Forestry Economics, 2024, 44 (6): 627- 636.

Cited in this article [1]

48	Maguire P , Kannis-Dymand L , Mulgrew K E , et al. Empathy and experience: Understanding tourists' swim with whale encounters[J]. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 2020, 25 (2): 105- 120. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2019.1695024 Cited in this article [3]

49	Schaeffer H R , Emerson P E . Patterns of response to physical contact in early human development[J]. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 1964, 5 (1): 1- 13. Cited in this article [1]

程文广, 王宁宁. 体育特色小镇建设对居民亲环境行为的影响: 地方认同、自然共情多重中介效应[J]. 北京体育大学学报, 2021, 44 (5): 79- 89.

Cheng

Wenguang

, Wang

Ningning

. The impact of developing sports towns on residents' pro-environmental behavior: Multiple mediating effects of local identity and empathy with nature[J]. Journal of Beijing Sport University, 2021, 44 (5): 79- 89.

Cited in this article [1]

Lavuri

, Roubaud

, Grebinevych

. Sustainable consumption behaviour: Mediating role of pro-environment self-identity, attitude, and moderation role of environmental protection emotion[J]. Journal of Environmental Management, 2023, 347, 119106.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.je-nvman.2023.119106

Cited in this article [2]

52	杨冠宇, 李淑敏. 环境自我认同对大学生低碳行为的影响[J]. 心理与行为研究, 2021, 19 (3): 410- 416. Yang Guanyu , Li Shumin . Research on the influence of environmental self-identity on low-carbon behaviors among university students[J]. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 2021, 19 (3): 410- 416. Cited in this article [2]

53	Batson C D . The Empathy-altruism Hypothesis: What and So What[M]. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017: 27- 40. Cited in this article [2]

54	Steg L , Perlaviciute G , Van Der Werff E , et al. The significance of hedonic values for envir-onmentally relevant attitudes, preferences, and actions[J]. Environment and Behavior, 2014, 46 (2): 163- 192. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916512454730 Cited in this article [3]

55	Mischel W , Shoda Y . A cognitive-affective system theory of personality: Reconceptualizing situations, dispositions, dynamics, and invariance in personality structure[J]. Psychological Review, 1995, 102 (2): 246- 268. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.102.2.246 Cited in this article [1]

56	Stern P C . Toward a coherent theory of environmentally significant behavior[J]. Journal of Social Issues, 2000, 56 (3): 407- 424. https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00175 Cited in this article [1]

57	Smith C A , Lazarus R S . Appraisal components, core relational themes, and the emotions[J]. Cognition & Emotion, 1993, 7 (3/4): 233- 269. Cited in this article [1]

曲颖, 吕兴洋, 沈雪瑞. 大众旅游价值导向调节下地方依恋维度的亲环境驱动效应[J]. 旅游学刊, 2020, 35 (3): 86- 96.

Ying

, Lv

Xingyang

, Shen

Xuerui

. The pro-environment motivating effects of place attachment dimensionsunder the moderation of mass tourism value orientation[J]. Tourism Tribune, 2020, 35 (3): 86- 96.

Cited in this article [2]

59	Van Der Werff E , Steg L , Keizer K . Follow the signal: When past pro-environmental actions signal who you are[J]. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2014, 40, 273- 282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2014.07.004 Cited in this article [2]

60	Bentler P M , Chou C P . Practical issues in structural modeling[J]. Sociological Methods & Research, 1987, 16 (1): 78- 117. Cited in this article [1]

61	汤丹丹, 温忠麟. 共同方法偏差检验: 问题与建议[J]. 心理科学, 2020, 43 (1): 215- 223. Tang Dandan , Wen Zhonglin . Statistical approaches for testing common method bias: Problems and suggestions[J]. Journal of Psychological Science, 2020, 43 (1): 215- 223. Cited in this article [1]

62	Hae-Young K . Statistical notes for clinical researchers: Assessing normal distribution (2) using skewness and kurtosis[J]. Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, 2013, 38 (1): 52- 54. https://doi.org/10.5395/rde.2013.38.1.52 Cited in this article [1]

63	邱皓政, 林碧芳. 结构方程模型的原理与应用[M]. 北京: 中国轻工业出版社, 2009: 106- 107. Qiu Haozheng , Lin Bifang . Principles and Applications of Structural Equation Modeling[M]. Beijing: China Light Industry Press, 2009: 106- 107. Cited in this article [1]

刘盼, 彭薇, 方晶. 社会规范助推公众政策遵从——基于可循环餐具使用意愿的实验研究[J]. 中国行政管理, 2023, 39 (10): 109- 120.

Liu

Pan

, Peng

Wei

, Fang

Jing

. Social norms nudge citizen policy compliance: An experimental study on willingness to use recyclable cutlery[J]. Chinese Public Administration, 2023, 39 (10): 109- 120.

Cited in this article [1]