Relationship between residents' climate change perception and adaptation behavior in cold region: Psychological state as a mediator

Climate change is increasingly reshaping both the natural environment and the socio-economic functioning of cold-region cities, posing critical challenges to sustainable urban development. Beyond physical climate risks, residents’ perceptions of climate change and their behavioral responses play a decisive role in shaping urban adaptation outcomes. However, the mechanism translating perception into concrete action remains under-researched. Grounded in the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) framework, this study examines these mechanisms in Harbin, China. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) of 1132 survey responses, bootstrap mediation analysis, and semi-structured interviews, we analyze the mediating roles of risk perception, emotional responses, and self-efficacy, alongside the moderating effect of the perceived policy environment. The results indicate that: (1) climate change perception is primarily experiential; while precipitation changes are most acutely felt, seasonal anomalies exert the strongest influence on adaptive behavior. (2) Psychological factors significantly mediate the perception-behavior link; self-efficacy is the primary driver of behavioral transformation, while emotional responses provide supportive affective engagement. (3) The perceived policy environment acts as a significant moderator, where higher governance satisfaction mitigates climate anxiety and enhances adaptive actions. These findings underscore the necessity of integrating socio-psychological dimensions into urban climate strategies. This study provides empirical evidence for designing people-centered and resilient adaptation policies tailored for cold cities.