Publication :

Children’s life satisfaction and travel satisfaction : evidence from Canada, Japan, and Sweden

Travel satisfaction has been linked to life satisfaction for adults, but no evidence exists currently for children’s travel. Children’s travel differs from adult’s in numerous ways including limitations related to independent travel and available transport options. Children’s travel is often more local and their desire to explore and learn about their environment may be higher than for adults. The importance of social interaction during travel or at locations may also be a greater consideration for children. Further, many of their destinations are pre-determined such as going to school (not all adults work, but nearly all children of school age attend school). This paper analyzes the relationship between travel satisfaction and life satisfaction for children aged 9 to 12 in Canada, Japan, and Sweden (n=425) using partial least squares structural equation modeling. In line with previous findings among adults, the analyses show a significant path from travel satisfaction to life satisfaction among children, suggesting a moderate relationship. Unexpectedly, negative relationships for increased frequency of nearly all mode uses (walking, bus, and car) on travel satisfaction (directly) and life satisfaction (indirectly) were found, which may suggest that children do not enjoy frequent travel. These results suggest a relationship that is likely important, but not necessarily in the ways anticipated.