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Relationship between childhood socio-economic status and wellness tourism intention: a combined PLS-SEM and NCA methods

Author

Listed:
  • Junxian Shen

    (Macao Polytechnic University)

  • Hongfeng Zhang

    (Macao Polytechnic University)

  • Cora Un In Wong

    (Macao Polytechnic University)

  • Jianhui Chen

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Lianping Ren

    (Macao University of Tourism)

Abstract

Extant studies on wellness tourism have focused on tourists’ motivations and current economic circumstances, while less attention has been given to the impact of childhood socio-economic status on wellness tourism intention. Under the theoretical lens of life history theory, this study examined the influence of tourists’ childhood socio-economic status on their wellness tourism intention via questionnaire surveys (N1 = 530, N2 = 524) using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and necessary condition analysis (NCA). The PLS-SEM result attested that tourists’ life history strategy and perceived value of wellness tourism serially mediate the relationship between their childhood socio-economic status and wellness tourism intention. The NCA results showed that the perceived value is a necessary condition for wellness tourism intention. The results provide an additional explanation to the tourists’ consumption behavior in wellness tourism, which bears practical implications for marketers and operators in this industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Junxian Shen & Hongfeng Zhang & Cora Un In Wong & Jianhui Chen & Lianping Ren, 2025. "Relationship between childhood socio-economic status and wellness tourism intention: a combined PLS-SEM and NCA methods," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-05177-0
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05177-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alana K. Dillette & Alecia C. Douglas & Carey Andrzejewski, 2021. "Dimensions of holistic wellness as a result of international wellness tourism experiences," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(6), pages 794-810, March.
    2. Mu He & Juliet Honglei Chen & Anise M. S. Wu & Kwok Kit Tong, 2022. "Fast or slow: applying life history strategies to responsible gambling adherence," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(3), pages 444-458, September.
    3. Hauff, Sven & Richter, Nicole Franziska & Sarstedt, Marko & Ringle, Christian M., 2024. "Importance and performance in PLS-SEM and NCA: Introducing the combined importance-performance map analysis (cIPMA)," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    4. Yang Zhou & Ligang Liu & Sanghyun Han & Xiao Sun, 2023. "Comparative analysis of the behavioral intention of potential wellness tourists in China and South Korea," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Ting Gan & Jiansong Zheng & Wei Li & Jiaxin Li & Junxian Shen, 2023. "Health and Wellness Tourists’ Motivation and Behavior Intention: The Role of Perceived Value," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-16, February.
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