Factors influencing adaptation to water scarcity in the context of climate change: Integrated socio-psychological models in Kermanshah province, Iran

Kermanshah province in western Iran. This research integrates the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theory to analyze socio-psychological factors influencing farmers' adaptation to water scarcity. Using a survey of 380 farmers and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis, the study examines key predictors of adaptive behavior, including awareness of consequences, behavioral intention, perceived behavioral control, and personal norms. Analysis of the data revealed significant relationships between the two integrated theories. The farmers' water scarcity adaptation behavior was explained by the awareness of consequences, behavioral intention, perceived behavioral control and personal norms. Additionally, 57.1 % of behavioral intention and 54.7 % of water scarcity adaptation behavior were explained. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that the strongest predictor of farmers' water scarcity adaptation behavior was the behavioral intention. • We proposed an integrated framework of rational and moral choices. • Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach was employed. • The integrated framework was more effective in explaining behavior. • Behavioral intention has a significant direct effect on water scarcity adaptation.