Feeling ready to volunteer after COVID-19? The role of psychological capital and mental health in predicting intention to continue doing volunteer tourism activities

ABSTRACT

The study attempted to examine the impact of young volunteer tourists' psychological capital and negative mental health/well-being issues caused by exposure to stressful events on their intention to continue doing volunteer tourism activities. Also, the aim was to examine the moderation of social and organizational support in the association between psychological capital, mental health/well-being, and volunteers' intentions. Findings from the structural analysis indicated that volunteer tourists' mental health/well-being issues could significantly impact their intentions. Also, it was shown that psychological capital was a strong predictor of undesirable behaviors and feelings for volunteer tourists. Hence, the results indicated that model of the Theory of Planned Behavior can be extended by inserting two new critical constructs (psychological capital and mental health/well-being issues) that can have effects on fostering tourists' intention to continue volunteering. In addition, organizational and social support played an important moderating role. Based on the proposed research model, we presented important implications for volunteer tourism organizations to meet volunteers' needs and encourage positive intention.