Abstract
An understanding of social competence in adolescents, including its developmental antecedents and correlates as well as its relation to adaptive outcomes, is important for both theoretical and practical reasons. The development of adolescent social competence is central to theories of development and research on competence. From a practical standpoint, the promotion of social competence has been identified as a key resource for preventing adolescent problem behavior and enhancing positive development in children and adolescents. This article reviews current theory and research on social competence in adolescents. After providing definitions and outlining the key theoretical models of social competence, the major studies addressing the development of the various dimensions of social competence, as well as the relationships of these dimensions to psychosocial outcomes such as peer relations and mental health, are reviewed. Finally, educational and clinical practices aimed at enhancing adolescents' social competence are highlighted and examples of best-practice models are reviewed.
Published Version
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