Title of Paper
Stress for Success: Potential Benefits of both Perceived and Actual Stress While Cruising
Abstract (150 Words)
An understanding of the effects travel has on the health of travelers could have profound effects on the industry and behaviors of tourists. While psychometric analyses have suggested travel has the ability to relieve stress and improve one’s overall well-being (Chen, Petick & Shahvali, 2016; Sirgy, et al., 2011), scant research has utilized physiological data to examine the effects of travel on health. The current study was guided by the cognitive activation theory of stress (CATS) and compared self-reported diaries and physiological data (using heart rate monitors) to examine the effects cruising has on both perceived and actual stress. Results empirically validate the use of CATs as a theoretical framework for understanding travelers’ perceived and actual stress, and give specific guidance to cruise management on how to engineer cruise experiences based on stress and for individuals on what to do to have positive stress while traveling.
Stress for Success: Potential Benefits of both Perceived and Actual Stress While Cruising
An understanding of the effects travel has on the health of travelers could have profound effects on the industry and behaviors of tourists. While psychometric analyses have suggested travel has the ability to relieve stress and improve one’s overall well-being (Chen, Petick & Shahvali, 2016; Sirgy, et al., 2011), scant research has utilized physiological data to examine the effects of travel on health. The current study was guided by the cognitive activation theory of stress (CATS) and compared self-reported diaries and physiological data (using heart rate monitors) to examine the effects cruising has on both perceived and actual stress. Results empirically validate the use of CATs as a theoretical framework for understanding travelers’ perceived and actual stress, and give specific guidance to cruise management on how to engineer cruise experiences based on stress and for individuals on what to do to have positive stress while traveling.