Spatial stigma and environmentally responsible behaviors during the pandemic: The moderating role of self-verification

Abstract

The environmentally responsible behavior (ERB)-related research has been well documented; however, few scholars have yet reconsidered this field under the impact of the pandemic. Our study focuses on the relationship between travelers' spatial stigma encounters from epidemic areas, their resultant emotions, and their ERB while employing self-verification as a moderating factor through the application of the S-O-R theory. Survey data of 239 travelers from epidemic areas suggested that travelers' perception of spatial stigma positively influences their emotions of shame, anger, and animosity, which negatively influences their ERB. Additionally, the moderating role of self-verification was also further be identified. By addressing this research gap, our study seeks to provide insight into the relationship between adverse emotions and self-verification over travelers' ERB. We also propose practical strategies that could boost travelers' ERB, when facing spatial stigma.