Background and Objective: Regarding to the “person–environment fit”, although, having a personality which matches the values of the overarching culture should increase subjective wellbeing, a mismatch will decrease it. This study compared the mental status in individualistic and collectivistic students in Iranian culture.
Materials and Methods: Used method in this study was descriptive and comparative. Among all undergraduate students at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 91 - 92 school year, the number of 150 students were selected based on quota sampling and according to school and were evaluated with using Auckland Individualism and Collectivism Scale (AICS) and SCL_ 90 Questionnaire.
Findings: Results of multivariate analysis of variance showed that the two groups in terms of their overall performance in SCL_ 90 Questionnaire have significant difference. Also, results of Tests of Between-Subjects Effects showed that between two groups, there is a significant difference in Interpersonal sensitivity, Hostility and Paranoid ideation; such that individualistic students had higher scores on the three subscales.
Conclusion: The results in this study confirmed the “person–environment fit”. The Iranian culture that is recognized as one of collectivist cultures, Individualist student shad more psychological problems; Whereas, collectivist Student shad a better mental state.