Dining with Furry Companions: A Path to Psychological Well-Being –Understanding the Impacts of Basic Psychological Needs and Social Identity

Given the hospitality and restaurant industries’ growing trend toward welcoming pets, understanding the psychological dynamics when using pet-friendly services is crucial. This study explores how the satisfaction of basic psychological needs shapes pet owners’ experiences and future behaviors. It examines the mediating role of customer – restaurant identification and the moderating effect of gender. Results show that need satisfaction fosters stronger social identity, which enhances psychological well-being and word-of-mouth intentions. Gender moderates the indirect effect of autonomy on well-being through identification. These findings reveal the importance of addressing pet owners’ unique needs to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.