Impact of heat risk perception on adaptive behavior of older adults: an analysis based on chain mediation effect

ObjectiveTo explore the influencing factors of the heat adaptive behavior of the elderly based on the model of private proactive adaptation to climate change. MethodsA survey of heat adaptive behavior was conducted among 650 older adults in Guangzhou from June to September 2024. AMOS 26.0 was used to establish a model of the influence on heat adaptive behavior in older adults for analysis of the factors affecting heat adaptive behavior. ResultsA total of 608 valid questionnaires were collected. The fitting index of the model of the influence on heat adaptive behavior of older adults was better than the qualified standard, indicating a good degree of fitting. The results of structural equation modeling test showed that risk experience (β = 0.136, P β = 0.309, P β = −0.234, P β = 0.327, P β = −0.103, P ConclusionsImproving older adults′ awareness of heat risks can lead to more active adoption of heat adaptive behavior, which can thus effectively reduce their vulnerability to the adverse effects of heat and ultimately reduce the heat-related health burden.