HOW COGNITIVE APPRAISALS AND MALADAPTIVE COPING EXPLAIN THE BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION OF HEALTH TOURISTS?

The main purpose of this paper is to understand the behavioural intention of health tourists through cognitive appraisals and maladaptive coping. A research model is proposed. A field study was conducted in Malaysia’s various international airports. 718 international tourists were approached to partake in the paper survey. The data collected was analysed using SmartPLS software version 3 with partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). This study’s findings show that only response severity is not significant related to maladaptive coping, which is defined as a compulsive behaviour individuals use to soothe themselves when feeling anxious. Perceived vulnerability and response cost are positively related to maladaptive coping, whereas response efficacy and self-efficacy are negatively significant to maladaptive coping. This study’s abstract consists of seven main elements: purpose and background, methodology, findings, conclusion, contribution/practical implications, references, and keywords.