Research on Host Residents' Support for Major Events: Validation of a Mediation Model Based on the Hangzhou Asian Games

The research examines the mediating role of residents’ overall attitudes in the relationship between perceived impacts and support for the Hangzhou Asian Games. The research is based on established theories, such as social exchange theories, to explore the factors and variation patterns of residents' support behaviors. A total of 1,519 questionnaire answers were collected. The findings support the mediate effect indicating positive perceptions of socio-cultural, environmental, and economic impacts significantly enhance overall attitudes and support for the Games. Conversely, negative perceptions, particularly regarding economic impacts, may be mitigated by positive attitudes. These insights offer strategic insights to event planners and policymakers to foster residents’ support so that more future events could be held successfully and smoothly.