Factors Affecting Self-Sufficiency of Female-Headed Households Case Study of Households in Kurdistan Province

In this Article we attempt to identify and analyze factors affecting self-sufficiency of female-headed households in urban areas of Kurdistan province. The research method is non-experimental survey. We selected 190 women as our statistical sample based on systematic random selecting technique and prepared a questionnaire as our main tool for data collection. After determining its validity by viewpoints of panel of experts we verified its reliability by Cronbach’s Alpha (0.77) and Test-Retest. The status of self sufficiency has been measured by quantitative index and self assessment criteria. The statistical method was Analysis of Variation, Pearson Chi-Square and Logit Regression model. The results show that 27.4% of females are self-sufficient based on criteria of self assessment. The quantitative index explains the following 24.2% self-sufficient, 40.5% semi self-sufficient, 35.3% not self self-sufficient This ratio within the widowed was greatest and within the divorced was lower than other type. Results also demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between quantitative index and self assessment criteria. Inferential analysis shows that "social insurance", "occupational diversity", "value of assets" and "time allocated in business" have been entered in the final equation of logit regression and have explained 68% of probability of self-sufficiency.