AccScience Publishing / HPR / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/HPR026270144
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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Perceived blue space restorativeness and subjective vitality among coastal tourists: A cross-sectional moderated mediation study

Ziqing Xu1,2 ,  Yanjun Luo1,2*
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1 The Institute of Digital Economy & Ocean Industry Development, Guangdong Ocean University, Yangjiang, Guangdong , China
2 Business School, Guangdong Ocean University, Yangjiang, Guangdong , China
HPR, 026270144 https://doi.org/10.36922/HPR026270144
Received: 30 June 2026 | Revised: 25 September 2026 | Accepted: 8 October 2026 | Published online: 27 October 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Background: Blue spaces may support psychological recovery, yet the processes linking perceived restorativeness to subjective vitality and the role of digital engagement remain unclear.

Objective: This study examined the indirect associations between perceived blue space restorativeness and subjective vitality involving psychological detachment and cognitive restoration, and whether online vigilance moderated the restorativeness–detachment association.

Methods: We used a cross-sectional online survey of 384 adult Chinese tourists who had recently visited a coastal site. Latent-variable structural equation modeling was used to estimate the proposed associations. Bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals were applied to the indirect effects, and moderation was examined through a product-indicator latent interaction.

Results: Perceived blue space restorativeness was positively associated with psychological detachment (β = 0.466) and cognitive restoration (β = 0.318), while psychological detachment was positively associated with cognitive restoration (β = 0.312). Psychological detachment (β = 0.257) and cognitive restoration (β = 0.316) were both positively associated with subjective vitality. The sequential indirect association was significant (β = 0.046). Online vigilance negatively moderated the restorativeness–detachment association (β = −0.179), and indirect effects involving psychological detachment were not significant at high online vigilance.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that perceived blue space restorativeness is associated with greater subjective vitality through psychological detachment and cognitive restoration, while online vigilance may weaken this restorative process by constraining psychological detachment. These results extend understanding of psychological recovery in blue space environments and highlight the importance of reducing digital attentional demands during restorative leisure experiences.

Keywords
Perceived blue space restorativeness
Psychological detachment
Cognitive restoration
Online vigilance
Subjective vitality
Funding
This research was supported by the Program for Scientific Research Start-up Funds of Guangdong Ocean University (Nos. 360302052403 and 360302052405).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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