Date

12-4-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Albert Pace

Keywords

solo travel, self-efficacy, grit, memorable travel experiences, transformative learning theory, memorable tourism experiences

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to use survey data to explore personal transformations that occur through travel experiences, with a primary focus on comparing any differences of self-efficacy, grit, and memorable travel experiences between solo travelers and those who traveled with a group or companion. A correlational and quasi-experimental design was used consisting of online survey data using measurements of general self-efficacy, grit, and memorable traveling experiences from 128 participants (61 solo and 67 group travelers). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multivariate analyses of variance were used to analyze the relationships and differences between the study variables. Although results indicated no significant differences between the two groups on the combined variables of self-efficacy, grit, and memorable travel experiences, follow-up univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in memorable travel experiences. Solo travelers reported statistically more memorable experiences (M = 6.26, SD = 0.60) than group travelers (MD = 5.94, SD = 0.85). Additionally, correlational analyses revealed positive relationships among the three constructs. The findings contribute to the understanding of transformative learning theory and self-efficacy theory by suggesting that memorable travel can be tied to personal growth. Implications for the counseling and tourism industry include promoting memorable and reflective travel opportunities to help travelers develop lasting changes after their experiences.

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