The impact of successful intelligence on the social growth of preschool children with emphasis on the mediating role of social adequacy

Abstract

Background: Social growth, as an important element of the development process, has significant impacts on children’s mental health. One of the most important goals of childhood education is the social growth and social adequacy of children. The extent they have these skills affects their individual and social health as well as their academic success. The purpose of this study was to identify the impacts of successful intelligence on social growth of preschool children with emphasis on the mediating role of social adequacy. Methods: The present study was a descriptive-correlational research. Its statistical population includes preschool children in Tehran in 2019. Totally, 370 children were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method. Vineland Social Maturity Scale, Sternberg Successful Intelligence Questionnaire, and Bellini Social Adequacy Questionnaire were used for data collection. For data analysis, Structural Equation Modeling was used. Results: Successful intelligence has a direct impact on social growth and social adequacy of preschool children (β=0.19; P<0.004), (β=0.42; P<0.001), and an indirect effect on social growth of children with a mediating role of social adequacy (β=0.18; P<0.001). In addition, social adequacy has a direct impact on their social growth (β=0.43; P<0.001). Conclusion: The fit indices of the model showed that it has a good fit. Successful intelligence and social adequacy variables are effective in social growth of preschool children. They can be applied in the form of basic skills in formal education and as parenting skills to prevent and resolve interpersonal problems.