Skip to main content

Quality of Life: Demographic, Psychological, Social and Cultural Components

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Tourism and Quality-of-Life Research II

Part of the book series: International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life ((IHQL))

Abstract

Through the consumption of satisfactory services and products in tourism and other service industries, tourists may enhance their subjective well-being and quality of life (QOL). This chapter attempts to investigate the dynamic interaction between demographic, psychological, social, and cultural factors, tourism experience and QOL. Demographic variables include the age, gender, nationality, and social status of the tourist. Psychological factors are explained in terms of self-image, self-consistency motive and social acceptance on tourism behavior. Tourists look for destinations and experiences which are congruent with their ideal self-image, they tend to see themselves consistent and be with others similar to them. Tourism choices should also be considered an activity through which identity and self is constructed and consolidated. Tourist motivation is another concept which influences the expectations prior to the travel and modifies tourist preferences, choice processes and satisfaction. Considering tourist behavior as a whole, it can be implied that people can accumulate positive experiences and good social relationships which contribute to an increase in QOL.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahuvia, A. C. (2005). Beyond the extended self: Loved objects and consumers’ identity narratives. Journal of Consumer Research, 32(1), 171–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beerli, A., Meneses, G. D., & Gil, S. M. (2007). Self-congruity and destination choice. Annals of Tourism Research, 34(3), 571–587.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belk, W. R. (1988). Possessions and the extended self. The Journal of Consumer Research, 15(2), 139–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernini, C., Guizzardi, A., & Angelini, A. (2013). DEA-like model and common weights approach for the construction of a subjective community well-being indicator. Social Indicators Research, 114, 405–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castillo, M. I., Rodríguez, M. I., & López-Guzmán, T. (2017). The important role of the international college students as a motor for promotion and development of international educational tourism as modality within the language tourism. Pasos, 15(2), 471–480.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi, H. Y., Lehto, X., & Brey, E. T. (2010). Investigating resort loyalty: Impacts of the family life cycle. Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management, 20(1), 121–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chon, K. (1992). Self-image/destination image congruity. Annals of Tourism Research, 19, 360–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, J. (2008). Gifts of tourism: Insights into consumer behavior. Annals of Tourism Research, 35(2), 529–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, E. (1978). Rethinking the sociology of tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 6, 18–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cracolici, M. F., Giambona, F., & Cuffaro, M. (2013). Family structure and subjective economic well-being: some new evidence. Social Indicators Research, 118, 433–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtin, S. (2010). Managing the wildlife tourism experience: The importance of tour leaders. International Journal of Tourism Research, 12(3), 219–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dann, G. M. (1981). Tourism motivations: An appraisal. Annals of Tourism Research, 8(2), 187–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Bosque, I. R., & San Martín, H. (2008). Tourist satisfaction a cognitive-affective model. Annals of Tourism Research, 35(2), 551–573.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Bosque, R. I., Martin, H., Collado, J., & Salmones, M. G. (2009). A framework for tourist expectations. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 3, 139–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dolnicar, S., Yanamandram, V., & Cliff, C. (2011). The contribution of vacations to quality of life. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(1), 59–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galloway, S. (2008). Culture and individual quality of life: Approaches for cultural research. Retrieved from: https://iccpr2008.yeditepe.edu.tr

  • Genç, R. (2009). Uluslararası Otel ve Restoran Yönetiminde İnsan. Beta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giese, J. L., & Cote, A. J. (2000). Defining consumer satisfaction. Academy of Marketing Science Review, 1, 1–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, D., & Abdullah, J. (2004). Holiday taking and the sense of well-being. Annals of Tourism Research, 31(1), 103–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gnoth, J. (1997). Tourism motivation and expectation formation. Annals of Tourism Research, 24(2), 283–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hong, J. W., & Zinkhan, G. M. (1995). Self-concept and advertising effectiveness: The influence of congruency, conspicuousness, and response mode. Psychology & Marketing, 12(1), 53–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iso-Ahola, S. E. (1980). The social psychology of leisure and recreation. I.M. Wm. C. Brown Company Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. H., Ritchie, J. B., & McCormick, B. (2012). Development of a scale to measure memorable tourism experiences. Journal of Travel research, 51(1), 12–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H., Woo, E., & Uysal, M. (2015). Tourism experience and quality of life among elderly tourists. Tourism Management, 46, 465–476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lam, D., & So, A. (2013). Do happy tourists spread more word-of-mouth? The mediating role of life satisfaction. Annals of Tourism Research, 43, 646–650.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, D.-J., Kruger, S., Whang, M.-J., Uysal, M., & Sirgy, M. J. (2014). Validating a customer well-being index related to natural wildlife tourism. Tourism Management, 45, 171–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, C.-H. (2014). Effects of cuisine experience, psychological well-being, and self-health perception on the revisit intention of hot spring tourists. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 38(2), 243–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Litirell, M. A., Baizerman, S., Kean, R., Gahring, S., Niemeyer, S., Reilly, R., & Stout, J. (1994). Souvenirs and tourism styles. Journal of Travel Research, 33(1), 3–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Litvin, S. W., & Goh, H. K. (2002). Self-image congruity: A valid tourism theory. Tourism Management, 23(1), 81–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Litvin, S. W., & Kar, G. H. (2003). Individualism/collectivism as a moderating factor to the self-image congruity concept. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 10(1), 23–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez-Bonilla, L. M., Lopez-Bonilla, J., & s. M. (2009). Postmodernism and heterogeneity of leisure tourist behavior patterns. Leisure Sciences: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 31(1), 68–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maoz, D., & Bekerman, Z. (2010). Searching for Jewish answers in Indian resorts: The postmodern traveler. Annals of Tourism Research, 37(2), 423–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, S., & Stokoe, E. H. (2004). Place and identity in tourists’ accounts. Annals of Tourism Research, 31, 601–622.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, R., Moore, M. L., & Capella, M. (2005). The impact of customer-to-customer interactions in a high personal contact service setting. The Journal of Service Marketing, 19(6), 482–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neal, J. D., & Gursoy, N. (2008). A multifaceted analysis of tourism satisfaction. Journal of Travel Research, 47, 53–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neal, J. D., Uysal, M., & Sirgy, J. (2007). The effect of tourism services on traveler’s quality of life. Journal of Travel Research, 46, 154–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Obrador, P. (2012). The place of the family in tourism research: Domesticity and thick sociality by the pool. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(1), 401–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, R., & Westbrook, R. (1993). Profiles of consumer emotions and satisfaction in ownership and usage. Journal of Consumer Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction and Complaining Behavior, 6, 12–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, R. L. (1999). Whence customer loyalty? Journal of Marketing, 63, 33–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, P. L. (1993). Fundamentals of tourist motivation. Channel View.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, P. L. (2005). Tourist behaviour : Themes and conceptual schemes. Channel View.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Pizam, A., Neumann, Y., & Reichel, A. (1978). Dimensions of tourist satisfaction with a destination. Annals of Tourism Research, 5(2), 314–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards, G. (1999). Vacations and the quality of life: patterns and structures. Journal of Business Research, 44(3), 189–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rızaoğlu, B. (2003). Turizm Davranışı. Detay Yayıncılık.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rust, R. T., Zahorik, A. J., & Keininghan, T. L. (1995). Return on quality. The Journal of Marketing, 59(2), 58–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiffman, L. G., & Kanuk, L. L. (2004). Consumer behavior (8th ed.). Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultz, S. E., Kleine Ill, R. E., & Kernan, J. B. (1989). These are a few of my favorite things: Toward an explication of attachment as a consumer behavior construct. Advances in Consumer Research, 16(1), 359–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, G., & Williams, A. M. (2002). Critical issues in tourism: A geographical perspective (2nd ed.). Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sirgy, J., & Su, C. (2000). Destination image, self-congruity, and travel behavior: Toward an integrative model. Journal of Travel Research, 38, 340–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sirgy, M. J. (1982). Self-concept in consumer behavior: A critical review. Journal of Consumer Research, 9(3), 287–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Small, J. (2003). The voices of older women tourists. Tourism Recreation Research, 28(2), 31–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, P., & Sharpley, R. (2008). Consuming dark tourism: A thanatological perspective. Annals of Tourism Research, 35(2), 574–595.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, K., & Horridge, P. (2004). A structural model for souvenir consumption, travel activities and tourist demographics. Journal of Travel Research, 42, 372–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swarbrooke, J., & Horner, S. (1999). Consumer behaviour in tourism. Butterworth-Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trauer, B., & Ryan, C. (2005). Destination image, romance and place experience—an application of intimacy theory in tourism. Tourism Management, 26(4), 481–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, N. (2000). Tourism and modernity: A sociological analysis. Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westwood, S., Pritchard, A., & Morgan, N. J. (2000). Gender-blind marketing: Businesswomen’s perceptions of airline services. Tourism Management., 21, 353–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeoman, I., Brass, D., & McMahon-Beattie, U. (2007). Current issue in tourism: The authentic tourist. Tourism Management, 28(4), 1128–1138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon, Y., & Uysal, M. (2005). An examination of the effects of motivation and satisfaction on destination loyalty: A structural model. Tourism Management, 26(1), 45–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Genç, R. (2023). Quality of Life: Demographic, Psychological, Social and Cultural Components. In: Uysal, M., Sirgy, M.J. (eds) Handbook of Tourism and Quality-of-Life Research II. International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31513-8_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31513-8_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-31512-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-31513-8

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics