Rethinking perceived constraints for people with chronic diseases: Developing and validating a scale for tourists with mild dementia

Authors/Creators

Fangli Hu, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Jun Wen, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Danni Zheng
Yangyang Jiang
Haifeng Hou
Wei Wang, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow

Abstract

Although perceived constraints represent a well-documented concept, little research has specifically addressed vulnerable populations with chronic diseases. This study is among the first in tourism to explore perceived constraints for tourists with chronic diseases. It uses dementia as an example and draws on qualitative and quantitative data. We developed and validated a five-factor, 38-item scale to assess perceived constraints to outbound tourism for people with mild dementia. Factors include perceived incapability and uncertainties; dementia-friendly service access challenges; emotional fulfillment and adjustment challenges; medication management challenges; and travel procedures and financial challenges. Further investigation demonstrated that perceived constraints significantly contribute to this demographic's learned helplessness and negatively affect their future travel intentions. We have thus expanded accessible tourism beyond creating enjoyable experiences to fostering positive travel. Findings can inform experience design and encourage exploration of the travel behaviors of chronically ill individuals.

RAS ID

76478

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

4-1-2025

Volume

107

Funding Information

National Natural Science Foundation of China (72102045) / Shanghai Pujiang Program (22PJC020) / European Commission Horizon 2020 (779238-PRODEMOS) / China Scholarship Council – Edith Cowan University Joint PhD Scholarship (202109327004)

School

Centre for Precision Health / School of Business and Law

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Elsevier

Identifier

Fangli Hu: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5188-3187

Jun Wen: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1110-824X

Wei Wang: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1430-1360

Comments

Hu, F., Wen, J., Zheng, D., Jiang, Y., Hou, H., & Wang, W. (2025). Rethinking perceived constraints for people with chronic diseases: Developing and validating a scale for tourists with mild dementia. Tourism Management, 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2024.105082

Recommended Citation

Hu, F., Wen, J., Zheng, D., Jiang, Y., Hou, H., & Wang, W. (2025). Rethinking perceived constraints for people with chronic diseases: Developing and validating a scale for tourists with mild dementia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2024.105082