Modeling farmers’ intention to water protection behavior: A new extended version of the protection motivation theory

Drought is a recurring phenomenon that occurs as a result of climate change. In addition, drought is a major challenge for population groups whose livelihoods depend mainly on natural resources such as water. While there is increasing pressure on farmers to conserve water, the factors influencing water conservation behavior are still poorly understood. The main purpose of this study was to fill this gap based on an expanded version of protection motivation theory (EXP-PMT) with perception as an additional construct in the original PMT model. PMT theory is often used to explain risk reduction behaviors or the intention to perform protective behaviors. Also, farmers' perceptions of natural disasters and whether the drought is real and whether they should take action influences their behavior. The study population consisted of farmers from the Mousian Plain in Ilam Province, Iran. Based on the sample table by Krejcie and Morgan (1970), 285 farmers were selected using the multi-stage stratified random sampling method. The data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) multivariate technique of Smart-PLS version 3.2.7. Partial least squares path model (PLS) analysis showed that response efficacy, self-efficacy, and farmers’ drought perceptions were significantly correlated with water protection behavior (WPB). The results of this study can be used to inform farmers about water conservation behavior. In addition, the results inform policymakers about what farmers consider important. So that more performance interventions can be performed. •1-Water protection behavior is necessary to mitigate drought impacts.•Self-efficacy, intention for protection and response efficacy contributed more to conservation behavior.•Farmers' perception of drought as a non-PMT attribute was associated with WPB.•Protection motivation theory (PMT) is used to study environmental psychological behaviors.