From existential anxiety to post-traumatic growth: The stranded traveler during the pandemic outbreak

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic is an existential trauma. Existential traumas trigger people's ultimate concerns and shatter individuals' basic assumptions. Based on the perspective of existential positive psychology, this study explores the post-traumatic growth of travelers from Hubei, China, during the early outbreak period. Grounded theory is used to analyze the stranded experience of epicenter travelers during the sudden crisis. This study reveals the intertwined traumatic events that evoke existential anxiety in travelers, as well as five dimensions of post-traumatic growth. Moreover, a theoretical framework is presented, elaborating on the influence path of key factors such as social support, cognition, and coping strategies on post-traumatic growth. Finally, the finding shows a strong resonance between post-traumatic growth and transformative tourism experiences.