Exploring the mental health desire for tourism among Gen Z: the moderating role of gender in escape and relationship strengthening motives

Purpose This study investigates how psychological distress—anxiety, depression, and stress—influences tourism motivation and intention among Generation Z in Indonesia, focusing on two motivational pathways: escape and relationship strengthening, with gender examined as a moderating factor. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey was conducted with 305 Indonesian Gen Z respondents aged 18–27. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test direct, mediating, and moderating relationships within the proposed model. Findings Anxiety and stress significantly influenced both escape and relationship-strengthening motives, whereas depression positively affected only relationship strengthening. Both motivational pathways positively predicted tourism intention. Stress was the only psychological factor that significantly influenced tourism intention through the escape pathway, while anxiety, depression, and stress all exerted significant indirect effects via relationship strengthening. Gender moderated both pathways: the effect of escape motivation on tourism intention was stronger among males, whereas relationship strengthening had a stronger influence among females. Research limitations/implications The findings highlight tourism as a potential non-clinical coping mechanism for psychological distress among Gen Z. Practically, the results suggest the importance of gender-sensitive tourism strategies, emphasizing escape-oriented experiences for male travelers and socially oriented, relationship-based experiences for female travelers. Policymakers and destination managers may integrate mental well-being considerations into youth-focused tourism development and marketing. Originality/value This study contributes novel empirical evidence by integrating psychological distress, tourism motivation, and gender moderation to explain tourism intention among Generation Z.