Despite the burgeoning literature on adaptive capacity, there is a lack of psychometric approaches for assessing the determinants of adaptive capacity, particularly in food systems in the Global South. The study addressed this knowledge gap by investigating four determinants, previously identified as leverage points, for strengthening adaptive capacity: access to finance, access to and use of information and knowledge, social learning, and gender equality. Drawing on a survey (n = 1,271) of food system actors in Kisumu County, Kenya, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis, which yielded factors of moderate-high internal validity and reliability. We then used structural equation modelling to examine the causal effect of food system actors’ attitudes and beliefs towards the four leverage points with regards to their perceived adaptive capacity. Two factors, access to finance and social learning, were significant positive predictors of adaptive capacity. A third leverage point factor, gender equality, contributed to the respondents’ perceived adaptive capacity through the mediating factor of assets. The results reveal entry points for strategic adaptation planning and raise complexities related to gender norms and values. We discuss the implications of these findings for adaptive capacity and transformative adaptation theory in food systems in the Global South.

中文翻译：

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评估加强全球南方粮食系统适应能力的杠杆点：心理测量方法

尽管有关适应能力的文献不断涌现，但仍缺乏评估适应能力决定因素的心理测量方法，特别是在全球南方的粮食系统中。该研究通过调查四个决定因素（之前被确定为杠杆点）来解决这一知识差距，以加强适应能力：获得资金、获取和使用信息和知识、社会学习和性别平等。根据对肯尼亚基苏木县粮食系统参与者的调查（n = 1,271），我们进行了验证性因素分析，得出了中高内部有效性和可靠性的因素。然后，我们使用结构方程模型来检查粮食系统参与者对四个杠杆点的态度和信念与其感知适应能力的因果影响。获得资金和社会学习这两个因素是适应能力的重要积极预测因素。第三个杠杆点因素，即性别平等，通过资产的中介因素促进了受访者感知的适应能力。结果揭示了战略适应规划的切入点，并增加了与性别规范和价值观相关的复杂性。我们讨论这些发现对全球南方粮食系统的适应能力和变革性适应理论的影响。