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

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. •This is the first empirical study to combine S-O-R framework with tourists' spatial stigma under a major pandemic situation.•• The relationships among spatial stigma, adverse emotions and ERB have been investigated.•The moderating effect of self-verification has been examined.•• This study seeks to reconsider ERB under the impact of the pandemic.•This study proposes practical strategies that could boost travelers' ERB, when facing spatial stigma.