A Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations on Subjective Well-Being: The Experience of Overnight Visitors to a National Park

According to the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) (Deci and Ryan 1985), intrinsic and extrinsic motivations can be differentiated with levels along a continuum representing distinct self-regulatory
styles for behavior. Behavioral regulations consider different degrees to which they represent autonomous or self-determined
functioning and specifically intrinsic motivations are characterized by the highest level of self-determination. Past research
into the SDT has highlighted correlations between reasons with high levels of autonomy or self-determination for engaging
in a particular behavior and enhanced Subjective Well-Being (SWB), as well as positive behavioral outcomes. Little is known
about the relationship between visitors’ reasons for visiting a national park, associated self-regulatory styles and their
self-appraisals of SWB. Therefore, the present research investigates the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations
for visiting the Kruger National Park (KNP), associated self-regulatory styles and self-evaluations of SWB among 389 overnight
visitors. A structural equation model (SEM) is proposed to examine both the cognitive (life satisfaction) and affective (positive
and negative feelings) components of SWB in association to motivations with different degrees of self-determination. Reflecting
previous research, the results show that overnight visitors who are more intrinsically motivated have higher life satisfaction
levels, higher positive feelings and lower negative feelings. In contrast, overnight visitors who are less intrinsically motivated
have lower life satisfaction levels, lower positive feelings and higher negative feeling. The practical implications of these
findings are highlighted.