Perceived blue space restorativeness and subjective vitality among coastal tourists: A cross-sectional moderated mediation study

Background: Blue spaces may support psychological recovery, yet the processes linking perceived restorativeness to subjective vitality and the role of digital engagement remain unclear. Objective: This study examined the indirect associations between perceived blue space restorativeness and subjective vitality involving psychological detachment and cognitive restoration, and whether online vigilance moderated the restorativeness–detachment association. Methods: We used a cross-sectional online survey of 384 adult Chinese tourists who had recently visited a coastal site. Latent-variable structural equation modeling was used to estimate the proposed associations. Bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals were applied to the indirect effects, and moderation was examined through a product-indicator latent interaction. Results: Perceived blue space restorativeness was positively associated with psychological detachment (β = 0.466) and cognitive restoration (β = 0.318), while psychological detachment was positively associated with cognitive restoration (β = 0.312). Psychological detachment (β = 0.257) and cognitive restoration (β = 0.316) were both positively associated with subjective vitality. The sequential indirect association was significant (β = 0.046). Online vigilance negatively moderated the restorativeness–detachment association (β = −0.179), and indirect effects involving psychological detachment were not significant at high online vigilance. Conclusion: The findings suggest that perceived blue space restorativeness is associated with greater subjective vitality through psychological detachment and cognitive restoration, while online vigilance may weaken this restorative process by constraining psychological detachment. These results extend understanding of psychological recovery in blue space environments and highlight the importance of reducing digital attentional demands during restorative leisure experiences.