Mechanism Underlying the Influence of Family Travel on Adolescent Self-Differentiation: A Social Learning Theory Perspective

Most tourism studies have investigated adolescent experiences and their subjective feelings toward family travel. However, the research regarding how family travel influences adolescent mental development is still fragmented. To fill this research gap, this study used social learning theory and a grounded theory approach to explore the identity development and self-growth of 12 adolescents from families in China with family travel experiences. Taking a child-centered and participatory approach, the adolescents and their parents (one per family) were interviewed. The data indicated that the away-from-home of family travel could lead adolescents to undergo internalization-based learning as a stress response; such learning could increase adolescents' self-differentiation by improving their self-efficacy and enable behavioral growth and achievement. This study developed a new theory for social learning, that is environment–cognition–stress response–behavior, and the mechanisms underlying the influence of family travel on adolescent self-differentiation emerged. This study provides theoretical contributions useful in the development of family travel experiences and products.