Enter your email address
Submit
Write your message
Volume 24, Issue 150 (8-2025)
Journal of Psychological Science 2025, 24(150): 1-18 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Malekzadeh M S. (2025). The Role of Tourism in Promoting Mental Health and Well-being: A Review of Evidence and Mechanisms. Journal of Psychological Science. 24(150), 1-18.
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-2937-en.html
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-2937-en.html
Associate Professor, Department of Management, Chairman of the Board of CTAN (SITI1), Tehran, Iran. E-mail: info@siti1.org , razirazi1402@gmail.com
Abstract: (51 Views)
Background: Given the growing importance of mental health and well-being as key indicators of sustainable development and quality of life, identifying and promoting effective approaches to enhance these critical dimensions has always been a major concern for researchers and policymakers. In recent years, tourism—especially with an emphasis on nature-based experiences and cultural interactions—has attracted attention as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for improving mental health and increasing individual and social well-being.
Aims: The aim of the present study was to review the role of tourism in promoting mental health and well-being by systematically examining the evidence and underlying mechanisms.
Methods: This systematic review examined research findings from 2020 to 2025, using databases such as SID, Springer, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Keywords including tourism, mental health, well-being, psychological well-being, nature tourism, and tourism experience were used in the search process. Based on the inclusion criteria, out of 40 reviewed articles, 30 were included in the study. The results were classified, summarized, and reported using Excel software.
Results: The results indicated that tourism, particularly nature-based tourism, has a significant and positive impact on enhancing mental health and increasing individual well-being. The systematic review of recent studies suggests that participation in tourism activities can substantially reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, while also improving mood, increasing happiness, and reducing rumination. Furthermore, evidence shows that tourism plays an important role in improving quality of life and preventing cognitive disorders and dementia among the elderly. In addition, tourism experiences, by strengthening cultural identity and providing opportunities for social and cultural interaction, further enhance the psychological and social dimensions of well-being. These findings highlight the importance of considering the multidimensional nature of well-being and the necessity for evidence-based policymaking to develop inclusive and health-oriented tourism initiatives.
Aims: The aim of the present study was to review the role of tourism in promoting mental health and well-being by systematically examining the evidence and underlying mechanisms.
Methods: This systematic review examined research findings from 2020 to 2025, using databases such as SID, Springer, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Keywords including tourism, mental health, well-being, psychological well-being, nature tourism, and tourism experience were used in the search process. Based on the inclusion criteria, out of 40 reviewed articles, 30 were included in the study. The results were classified, summarized, and reported using Excel software.
Results: The results indicated that tourism, particularly nature-based tourism, has a significant and positive impact on enhancing mental health and increasing individual well-being. The systematic review of recent studies suggests that participation in tourism activities can substantially reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, while also improving mood, increasing happiness, and reducing rumination. Furthermore, evidence shows that tourism plays an important role in improving quality of life and preventing cognitive disorders and dementia among the elderly. In addition, tourism experiences, by strengthening cultural identity and providing opportunities for social and cultural interaction, further enhance the psychological and social dimensions of well-being. These findings highlight the importance of considering the multidimensional nature of well-being and the necessity for evidence-based policymaking to develop inclusive and health-oriented tourism initiatives.
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. |
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)