How cultural confidence affects local residents’ wellbeing

This study provides and tests an integrated model that explores the effect of cultural confidence on residents’ spiritual wellbeing and the impacts of spiritual, social and psychological wellbeing on subjective wellbeing. Using Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China as the research site, 356 responses are collected via a field survey. A mixed-method approach is used to conceptualize and develop measures of cultural confidence. PLS-SEM results indicate significant positive relationships between cultural confidence and three dimensions of spiritual wellbeing (such as personal, environmental and communal). Spiritual wellbeing has a strong influence on social, psychological, and subjective wellbeing. Social wellbeing is positively related to psychological wellbeing, which in turn leads to subjective wellbeing. This research proposes and validates an integral framework that explains the development of residents’ subjective wellbeing. Findings have significant implications to destination policy decision-making in support of tourism development.