Explanation of the Farmers' Adaptation to Climate Change Behavior: Gender Analysis Using an Extended Model of Protection Motivation

In order to identify the perceptual and cognitive processes, considering both groups of men and women farmers is important to encourage the adaptation to climate change. In this study, to investigate the factors affecting the adaptive behavior of men and women farmers in Baghmalek county, located in Khuzestan province, a developed model of conservation motivation was used. The research population consisted of two groups of men and women farmers. The number of sample members was selected using Krejcie and Morgan table of 200 men and 150 women farmers. Random stratified cluster multistage sampling was used to select farmers. The data collection tool was a questionnaire whose face validity was confirmed by the faculty members of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Education. In addition, to determine the degree of reliability, pre-test and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were used. The results of the structural equation model analysis showed that the variables of perceived knowledge, response cost and descriptive norm are variables affecting the intentions of men farmers in a positive and direct way and behavior in a positive and indirect way and these variables were finally able to predict 67 and 45% of the changes in the variables of intention and behavior of men farmers, respectively. Perceived severity variables of intensity, response cost, belief in climate change and habit are variables affecting the intentions of women farmers in a positive and direct way and behavior in a positive and indirect way. And these variables were able to predict 70 and 25% the changes in the variables of women farmers' intentions and behavior.