Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study explores the factors influencing clean energy use among older adults in China and recommends strategies to increase its use, which would ultimately benefit health. METHODS: Data from older adults who participated in the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey were assessed via single- and multi-factor analyses. Attribution theory classifies behavioral drivers as internal (characteristics attribution) and external (situational attribution), with the former referring to an individual's qualities and characteristics (e.g., personality, emotions, moods, motivations, desires, abilities, and effort) and the latter referring to external factors (e.g., environmental conditions, situational characteristics, and influence of others). We modelled the internal and external motivations using attribution theory and existing literature to explore energy adoption by older adults. RESULTS: Multi-factor analysis showed residing in urban areas (versus rural areas) and east region (versus northeast region), higher educational levels, professional occupation (versus workers), better self-reported health status, higher family income, higher medical expenses, living with family members (versus living alone), living in apartments (versus detached house), were all associated with increased probability of clean energy use (odds ratios [OR] > 1, P-values < 0.05). However, those who attended regular physical examinations tended to have a lower probability of clean energy use than those who did not (OR = 0.855, P-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that clean energy use among older adults in China is regionally unbalanced and affected by various internal and external factors. Strategies to improve clean energy utilization among elderly adults in China should focus on rural areas with low socioeconomic levels and poorer health and living conditions.