Investigating the Relationship between Psychological and Demographic Characteristics and Social Laziness of Rural Youth in Ilam Province of Iran

This study aimed at investigating the relationship between personal characteristics and social laziness of rural youth in Ilam province of Iran. The methodology of the study was descriptive-correlational and its statistical population included the rural youth of the province (62786 persons). Based on Krejcie-Morgan table, 370 people were selected and studied using proportional stratified random sampling. The required data were collected through a questionnaire, the validity of which was confirmed by the viewpoints of three faculty members of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Rural Development of Ilam University; and the reliability of the questionnaire was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha (social laziness alpha 86 percent and psychological characteristics alpha 88 percent). The data were analyzed using SPSS-19 software. Correlation coefficient, regression and T and F tests were used for data analysis as well. According to the results of the regression, accountability, neuroticism and residence variables explained 17 percent of social laziness variance. Therefore, it is suggested that to increase the mental health of the community, the University of Medical Sciences and the Welfare Organization of Ilam province set up and increase psychological counseling clinics in the rural areas of the province.