Understanding the well-being of digital nomads from the perspective of self-determination theory – the case of China

Jie Li () and Sijia Zhong ()
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Jie Li: Sun Yat-sen University
Sijia Zhong: Sun Yat-sen University

Information Technology & Tourism, 2025, vol. 27, issue 4, No 12, 1229-1251

Abstract: Abstract The phenomenon of digital nomadism has emerged as a global trend and a growing research topic at the intersection of information technology and tourism. This study explores the underexamined dynamics of digital nomadism in China, applying self-determination theory (SDT) to investigate the well-being processes of Chinese digital nomads within their socio-cultural context. Using qualitative methods, the research identifies three key findings: (1) The digital nomadic lifestyle enhances well-being by fulfilling the basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, though these effects are uneven across individuals. (2) Mobility and digital technology serve as dual-edged social contexts, facilitating but sometimes hindering the satisfaction of these psychological needs. (3) Cultural values uniquely shape how Chinese digital nomads perceive and prioritize these needs, offering a culturally nuanced understanding of their well-being. This research contributes to the literature by providing a theoretically informed understanding on the dynamism of digital nomads’ well-being, expanding the application of SDT to highly mobile lifestyles, introducing a cultural lens to digital nomadism studies with a focus on China, and deepening the theoretical understanding of how mobility and digital technology influence the fulfillment of basic psychological needs and individual well-being.

Keywords: Digital nomads; Well-being; Self-determination theory; Lifestyle mobility; Digital technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s40558-025-00331-5

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