SOCIO-EMOTIONAL COMPETENCES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT AND FUTURE ORIENTATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

"Research studies suggest the importance of some developmental assets in promoting positive youth development: studies on Social and Emotional Learning have shown the benefits of acquiring these competencies on academic performance and well-being. In addition, future orientation emerged as a dimension that impacts on nonadaptive behaviors and educational performance but also on the agency they recognize themselves over their life trajectory and goals, reach greater academic achievement. Limited evidence is available on the role of and relationships between the developmental assets mentioned in primary school children. The study aims to deepen our understanding on how do these developmental assets vary in primary school children and what are the relationships between Social Emotional Competences that primary school children recognize themselves and both school engagement and future orientation. Data collected in a psychoeducational action promoted by the PSSmile project (Social-Emotional Capacity Building in Primary Education, http://smile.emundus.lt/) were used to address these questions. A hundred and fifty four, 8 to 11 years old, primary school students participated in the study. Direct and indirect, qualitative and quantitative tools have been used to address the study issues. The analyses confirm the specific patterns that characterize the two age groups. Specific relationships and patterns of association emerge between main dimensions of Social Emotional Competences, Positive Experiences and belonging at school, and Future Orientation. The need to address these issues early in primary school and understand the variability that may lead to vulnerability in the development emerge, and, stemming also from current societal challenges and consequences of the global pandemic, to promote educational and prevention actions."