Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Neda Sharifi ¹
• Maryam Omidi Najafabadi ²
• Maryam Mahmoudi ³

¹ Department of Economics, Agricultural Extension and Education, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Agricultural Extension and Education, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

Abstract

The main purpose of this descriptive-correlational research was to determine the factors underpinning rural women's self-efficiency in Malard County, Iran. The statistical population consisted of all rural women in Malard County (N = 23636). The sample size was determined using Cochran's formula (n=613) and they were selected by the stratified random sampling method. Data for the study were gathered with a structured questionnaire whose content validity was determined based on inputs by experts in the field and a review of the relevant literature. Cronbach's alpha test was used to assess the reliability of the questionnaire. The data analysis was performed using SPSS v.18. The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a positive and significant correlation of educational and extension factors, participation in family decision-making, social factors, spatial dynamics, economic factors, self-esteem factors, and the capacity to deal with shocks and stresses with self- efficiency of rural women. There was also a negative and significant relationship between age and self-efficiency of rural women. The stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that economic factor (R² = 0.437), educational and extension factor (R² = 0.507), self-esteem factor (R² = 0.539), and social factor (R² = 0.545) were the most important factors contributing to the dependent variable (rural women self-efficiency), respectively.

Highlights

• The Pearson correlation results showed positive, significant relationships between self-efficiency and educational level, educational-extension factors, participation in family decision-making, social factors, dynamics and spatial dynamics, economic factors, self-esteem factors (p < 0.01).
• There was a negative, significant relationship between self-efficiency and age (p < 0.05).
• The Kruskal Wallis test results showed that there were positive, significant differences between self-efficiency and educational level.
• The Stepwise regression results showed that the economic factor was the strongest influential factor (β=.352, p < 0.01), followed by the extension-educational factor (β=0.251, p < 0.01) and rural women's self-esteem (β=0.238, p < 0.01) in prediction of self-efficiency of Malard rural women.

Keywords

• capacity to deal with shocks and stress
• Malard County
• rural women's self-efficiency
• self-esteem
• spatial dynamics

20.1001.1.21595852.2020.10.2.4.1

Main Subjects

• Farm Structures