Adolescent Social Competence Research Articles

Analysis of the Impact of Chinese Parenting Styles on Adolescent Social Competence: From a Perspective of Family Systems Theory

The study explored the impact of Chinese parents' parenting styles on adolescents' social competence from the perspective of family systems theory. Adolescents' social competence is crucial and is related to their academic performance, peer relationships, and psychological well-being. Rapid urbanization, increased pressure on education, and the pervasive influence of technology have dramatically changed the Chinese family, creating a complex environment for adolescent development. Parenting in modern China has shifted from traditional authoritarian approaches to more diverse practices incorporating warmth, emotional support, and democratic participation. This study utilizes qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore how different parenting styles in an interconnected family system affect the development of social competence among Chinese adolescents. By examining authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting styles under the lens of family systems theory, the study delves into the patterns of parent-adolescent coexistence and understands the systemic impact of family dynamics on individual development. The study integrates the Chinese socio-cultural context within a constructivist perspective to explore parenting practices by analyzing existing research data, as well as family boundaries, communication patterns, emotional climate, conflict resolution styles, and parental expectations and encouragement. The aim is to identify key parenting behaviours and attitudes that promote or impede the development of adolescents' social competence and, ultimately, suggest healthier and more effective parenting practices.

A quantitative study of the effects of recreational physical activity on adolescents’ social skills

Abstract Based on the definition of recreational sports activities, this paper summarizes the role of recreational sports activities on adolescents’ social competence and initially conducts the design of related survey questionnaires. Then the scientific feasibility of the questionnaire is examined using the reliability test method. The online survey distribution was used to obtain initial data for this paper’s study. The influence of leisure sports activities on adolescents’ social competence was investigated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient and regression model. It was explored that there was a significant positive correlation between the dimensions of leisure sports activities and the dimensions of adolescents’ social competence, satisfying Sig<0.05, in addition to which it was concluded that cooperative spirit = 21.714 + 0.616*facilities + 0.445*time + 0.749*atmosphere + 0.637*cognition + 0.843*interest, and that the independent variable had 78.9% explanatory power for the dependent variable. This study conducted quantitative research on the social competence of adolescents through recreational sports activities using questionnaire scales and mathematical analysis models.

Social Competence of Adolescents: The Role of Social Cognition and Behavior Control

Social competence during adolescence plays a crucial role in socialization and psychological well-being. Available data suggest that social cognition (theory of mind, ToM) and self-regulation (behavioral control) abilities make a significant contribution to social competence at a young age, but research on their role in adolescence is still limited. The purpose of the research is to study the role of behavior control and ToM in the social competence of adolescents. The study involved 106 6-8-grade students (girls - 51), aged 12-15 years ( Me = 13, SD = 0.87). The BRIEF questionnaire was used to assess their behavior control; ToM was assessed using tasks for understanding high-order false beliefs. For external assessment of the social competence of the participants, a questionnaire for teachers and a sociometric method were used. The groups of the adolescents, divided by the median criterion, were compared using the overall BRIEF regulation index and the total score for false-belief understanding. The most salient differences in the teachers’ and peers’ assessments of the social competence were found between the contrasting groups of the participants, i.e., with high levels of ToM and behavior control and with low levels of these abilities. At the same time, differences in the teachers’ assessments were observed for both positive and negative assessments but, in sociometric indices, only for negative ones. The teachers considered the adolescents with high levels of behavior control to be more socially competent, regardless of their level of social cognition. For the peers, the level of behavioral control mattered only when the ability to assess the mental states of other people was weak. The results of our study show the importance of the role of social cognition and behavioral control in the implementation of socially competent behavior in adolescents. At the same time, the data obtained indicate the heterogeneity of the contribution of these abilities to the social competence of adolescents assessed by peers and teachers.

Conceptualising social inclusion and examining its relationship with social competence

Previous research has attempted to examine specific social aspects of the school inclusion of students with vision impairment, such as the development of social relationships with their teachers and peers and their participation in school activities. Based on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory, this article presents a socio-ecological model that aims to embrace the different elements of social inclusion in school. Considering the components of this socio-ecological model, the findings of an empirical study that examined the school engagement of adolescents with vision impairment and its effect on their social competence are presented. Thirty-seven adolescents, with and without vision impairment, aged 12–14 years, participated in this study. Adolescents were divided into three groups: adolescents with severe sight impairment (previously ‘blindness’), adolescents with sight impairment (previously ‘low vision’) and sighted adolescents. Participants completed a questionnaire about their school engagement and disengagement, and their parents completed a quantitative scale about their children’s social competence. There were no significant differences found between the three participant groups in terms of school engagement, disengagement and social competence. Neither school engagement nor disengagement was a significant predictor of social competence. The findings of this empirical study revealed remarkable similarities in school engagement and social competence between adolescents with and without vision impairment. These findings may also suggest that other clinical and social factors, independent of visual functioning, affect the school inclusion and social competence of adolescents with vision impairment. Overall, the socio-ecological model developed for the purposes of this research can lead to the development of evidence-based interventions that will aim to improve the social inclusion of adolescents with vision impairment. Furthermore, the rationale of the empirical study may promote further investigation of the critical role of promoting less-intrusive classroom interventions to facilitate the school inclusion of students with vision impairment.

Examining the Effects of Theory of Mind and Social Skills Training on Social Competence in Adolescents with Autism.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have impairment in interpreting emotional communication and the mental states of others, which limits their social competence. Mounting evidence has suggested that theory of mind (ToM) is a vital strategy to enhance social communication and interaction skills of children with ASD. However, very little research has looked at how ToM and social skills training affect social competence in adolescents with autism. This study examined the effectiveness of an intervention program, ToM-SS, which integrated the ToM and social skills training to improve the social competence of three adolescents with autism. A multiple baseline across behaviors design was adopted to evaluate the participants' learning outcomes and demonstrated a functional relationship between intervention and skill mastery. Results show that the intervention produced substantial improvements in students' acquisition of ToM (e.g., seeing leads to knowing and identifying desire-based and context-based emotions) and targeted social skills (e.g., praising others, expressing emotion and seeking help). Feedback and comments from teachers and parents also indicate good social validity of the intervention program.

Social competence as a predictor of adult outcomes in autism spectrum disorder.

There is a wealth of literature characterizing social difficulties in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little work has replicated longitudinal findings from typical development that adolescent social competence predicts positive adult outcomes in ASD. The current study examined social competence trajectories from 2 to 26 and the utility of three social competence measures collected in adolescence in predicting work, residential status, friendship, and romantic outcomes in a longitudinal cohort (n = 253) of ASD. Using group-based trajectory modeling, we identified two patterns of social competence development: a low trajectory characterized by slow linear gains throughout childhood and plateauing in adulthood, and a high trajectory characterized by steeper linear gains in childhood followed by decline in adulthood. Regression models indicated one social competence measure, Vineland Social-AE scores, significantly predicted employment, residential status, and friendships in adulthood. One other social competence measure, SSQ total scores, also significantly predicted friendship in adulthood. Only nonverbal IQ at 9 predicted the likelihood of having ever had a romantic relationship. These findings highlight the role of social competence in both atypical and typical development and suggest the social impairments associated with ASD do not necessarily impact all realms of social functioning equally.

Happy Campers: Enhancing Social Competence in Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder at Summer Camp

Many adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience challenges in social competence. Evidence suggests that specialized summer camps with social skills training may have positive outcomes on social competence development in adolescents with ADHD. This article reports on a pilot study of a therapeutic summer camp program for children and adolescents with ADHD. The study examines the degree to which program objectives were achieved through a pre-camp, post-camp design using a series of standardized instruments, camp evaluations, and surveys with parents. The results indicated that the campers initially reported significantly lower social competence when compared to a normative sample of adolescents before the camp but improved their social competence by the end of camp. This research has implications for researchers, caregivers, and outdoor education advocates to take an assertive lead in promoting evidence-based psychosocial programs for youth with and without ADHD into more generalizable community settings.

Social Competence and Its Related Factors in High School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Social competence can help adolescents achieve effective social interactions and establish and maintain successful relationships with peers and society. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the status of social competence and its related factors in high school students in Rasht City, Iran. Materials and Methods: In the cross-sectional analytical study, 491 high school students in Rasht were selected by multi-stage random cluster sampling. The study tool was a twopart questionnaire: the demographic characteristics of the participants and the social competence questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t test, and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: Of 491 students, 65.4% were female, 63.1% were the first child of the family, and 94.3% had normal sleep amount. Also, 94.1% of students lived with their parents. Their mean social competence was at the desired level (261.7±8.31, total score: 47-329). There was a significant relationship between school grade point average (r=0.271, P=0.001), duration of Internet use (r=-0.103, P=0.022), and students’ sleep amount with social competence based on 1-way ANOVA test (P=0.005). Based on multiple linear regression analysis, a high-grade point average was associated with increased social competence (B=7.54, 95% CI; 5.43 to 9.78, P=0.001) and female gender (B=-6.71, 95% CI; -13.15 to -0.26, P=0.04), being the second child compared to the first (B=-8.19, 95% CI; -14.48 to -1.90, P=0.011), insomnia (B=-19.07, 95% CI; -36.14 to -2.01, P=0.029) and parental divorce and living with father (B=-46.47, 95% CI; -81.95 to -10.99, P=0.01) were associated with low social competence (R2=0.16). Conclusion: These results can help managers plan educational and training organizations and promote parents’ awareness to eliminate everyday barriers and develop social competence in adolescents.

Goal Orientation and Adolescent Social Competence: Ubuntu as a Mediator Among Black American Adolescents.

Social competence, which is the ability to demonstrate socio-emotional behavior skills, is crucial during adolescence with far-reaching implications across the lifespan. However, social competence development among youth is greatly influenced by social inequities, which places many Black American youth at a disadvantage due to the disproportionate burden on youth development in resource-constrained environments. Responsively, we sought to determine whether Afrocentric cultural norms (i.e., Ubuntu) and goal orientation contribute to the resilience of Black youth in developing social competence while controlling for social positions (i.e., social class and gender). For this study, we used the dataset of black boys and girls (average age of 14.68) from the Templeton Flourishing Children Project. Linear regression analysis followed by mediation analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with higher degrees of social competence. Significant study findings indicate that Black youth reporting higher goal-oriented mindsets reported higher social competence scores. Goal orientation and social competence were mediated by Ubuntu, with the model explaining 63% variance in social competence in Black youth. The findings suggest prevention efforts that provide socialization centered around Afrocentric cultural norms may provide valuable means of bolstering social competence development in Black youth living in resource-constrained communities.

Развитие социальной компетентности у подростков с ОВЗ в условиях инклюзивного образования

<p>The work is aimed at determining the level of formation of social competence in adolescents with disabilities and assessing the state of ensuring its development in adolescents by means of a lesson and extracurricular activities. The materials of an empirical study are presented, in which adolescents from 12 to 16 years old took part (N=123 with disabilities and N=123 with normotypical development). The study examined the operational-content, personal-regulatory, motivational-emotional and behavioral components of social competence. We used the methodology for studying the understanding of social situations and ideas about growing up N. Moskоlenko; adapted method of M. Rokeach; scale of emotional empathic tendencies by A. Megrabyan, N. Epstein; method of coping strategies N. Ryan-Wegner; test by S. Rosenzweig and others; methods of observation, conversation and analysis of documentation. The data obtained for each criterion indicate that the social competence of adolescents with disabilities is formed at a low level, in adolescents in the norm – at a sufficient level. An analysis of the adapted curricula and a survey of teachers showed that the methods and resources that teachers and tutors use to work with adolescents in the classroom and outside of school hours are insufficient for the formation of the presented competencies in adolescents with disabilities.</p>

Social Competence in Adolescents with Different Level of Theory of Mind

The aim of this study was to explore the role of theory of mind - the ability to attribute mental states to other people to explain their behavior - in the development of social competence and prosocial behavior in adolescence. It is assumed that there is a difference in the manifestation of prosocial behavior and social competence in adolescents with different levels of theory of mind. Participants were 95 adolescents aged 12–15 years (M=13.8; SD=9.5; 46 girls). We used “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” test to assess the social-perceptual component of theory of mind (assessment of the recognition of mental states by facial expressions) and the task of understanding higher-order false beliefs to assess the socio-cognitive component. We assessed the adolescent’s prosocial behavior during a group game of puzzles and calculated the ratio of the number of prosocial acts to time in seconds. Teachers assessed the social behavior of adolescents using a specially designed questionnaire. We also used a sociometric method to study the popularity of adolescents in the group. The results obtained testify to the different contribution of the socio-perceptual and socio-cognitive components of theory of mind to the development of social competence of adolescents. Adolescents who better understand the mental states of others and predict their behavior are more likely to act prosocially, are more persuasive and successful in mastering the school curriculum. Teachers are rated those who better recognize mental states by facial expressions as more helpful and popular among their peers. Adolescents with low level of theory of mind are rejected by their peers.

Hubungan Sibling Rivalry dengan Kompetensi Sosial Remaja

This study aims to see how the relationship between sibling rivalry and social competence. The research design used is an associative quantitative approach. The sample in this study consisted of 57 students at SMPN 4 Timang Gajah aged 13-15 years, sampling was carried out by total sampling because the population was considered small or less than 100. Data collection was carried out using the sibling rivalry questionnaire and social competence. validation sibling rivalry 19 valid items and 3 invalid items. social competence 18 valid items and 8 invalid items. The results of the instrument test performed with Cronbach's alpha obtained reliability results of 0.725 for sibling rivalry and 0.721 for social competence. The results showed that the level of adolescent social competence in SMP N 4 Timang Gajah was at a low level, namely 26 people (45.6%), with a value of (31.5 <x ≤ 40.5). The level of sibling rivalry in adolescents at SMP N 4 Timang Gajah is at a high level, namely 24 people (42.1%) with a value of (52.25 <x ≤ 61.75), and there is a significant relationship between sibling rivalry and adolescent social competence. at SMP N 4 Timang Gajah. With sibling rivalry, it has an effect of 39.5%, and 60.5% is determined by other factors outside of research. There is a negative relationship between sibling rivalry and social competence, that is, the higher the sibling rivalry, the lower the social competence, and as well the contrary.

Developmental Pathways to Adult Happiness: Social Competence and Timely High School Graduation

Academic and social success are key points of emphasis for adolescents. Yet, it remains unclear whether competence in these areas during adolescence leads to happiness in adulthood. We also know surprisingly little about the mechanisms by which these factors might influence future quality of life. The present study examined the relative impacts of social and academic success (measured in adolescence) on satisfaction with life approximately 16 years later. In addition, indirect pathways were assessed through life stress and social support in early adulthood. Participants (N = 157) were drawn from a sample of children born to low-income mothers followed from birth through age 39 years. Results showed a direct pathway from adolescent social competence to adult life satisfaction, and no such effect of high school graduation. Neither indirect effect was significant. These results extend and support previous cross-sectional research, and call into question the ability of the present K-12 education system to meet the expectations of modern parents.

The significance of adolescent social competence for mental health in young adulthood

IntroductionSocial competence is one of the primary components of mental health development. This study examines the associations between adolescent competence and its components, and adulthood adaptive functioning and internalizing and externalizing problems. MethodsAs part of a longitudinal study that begun in Finland in 1989, 191 mothers, 126 fathers and their 192 16–17-year-old adolescent children completed a standardized questionnaire, the Child Behavior Checklist or the Youth Self Report, to analyse the adolescents’ total competence and its subscales (activity, social skills and school performance). Ten years later, the former adolescents completed the corresponding Adult Self Report questionnaire to assess adaptive functioning as well as internalizing and externalizing symptoms. ResultsBetter total competence or social skills in adolescence were associated with a good level of adaptive functioning and a low level of internalizing symptoms in young adulthood. Better scores in school performance subscale according to the parents’ reports were associated with a low level of externalizing symptoms in young adulthood. Together with total competence and social skills, concurrent partner relationship status was associated with optimal outcomes. ConclusionThis study supports earlier findings that better social competence in adolescence is associated with fewer internalizing problems in young adulthood, and indicates a longitudinal association between adolescent competence and adult adaptive functioning. It is important to study whether interventions supporting adolescents’ competence could promote mental health in their subsequent development into young adulthood.

Testing sampling bias in estimates of adolescent social competence and behavioral control

In 5 of the 6 large Dutch developmental cohorts investigated here, lower SES adolescents are underrepresented and higher SES adolescents overrepresented. With former studies clearly revealing differences between SES strata in adolescent social competence and behavioral control, this misrepresentation may contribute to an overestimation of normative adolescent competence. Using a raking procedure, we used national census statistics to weigh the cohorts to be more representative of the Dutch population. Contrary to our expectations, in all cohorts, little to no differences between SES strata were found in the two outcomes. Accordingly, no differences between weighted and unweighted mean scores were observed across all cohorts. Furthermore, no clear change in correlations between social competence and behavioral control was found. These findings are most probably explained by the fact that measures of SES in the samples were quite limited, and the low SES participants in the cohorts could not be considered as representative of the low SES groups in the general population. Developmental outcomes associated with SES may be affected by a raking procedure in other cohorts that have a sufficient number and sufficient variation of low SES adolescents.

Interparental Hostility Interacts with Interparental Cooperative Conflict to Predict Adolescent Social Competence Through Parent-Child Relationship Quality.

An emerging (yet still scant) body of research has linked interparental hostility to youth compromised social competence over time among adolescents. Moreover, little is known about the conditions under which and the processes through which this association might occur. Using prospective data from 878 youth (50.23% females) and their parents and teachers, this study examined how interparental hostility and cooperative conflict might work in conjunction with each other to predict youth social competence over time via parent-child relationship quality. Results demonstrated that interparental cooperative conflict at grade 5 buffered the negative association between interparental hostility at grade 5 and mother-child but not father-child relationship quality at grade 6. Mother-child relationship quality, in turn, was associated positively with youth social competence at age 15. As such, interparental hostility at grade 5 was negatively related to youth social competence at age 15 via mother-child relationship quality at grade 6 only when interparental cooperative conflict at grade 5 was low. This study represents a more nuanced and specific examination of the implications of interparental hostility for child later social development by highlighting underlying moderating and mediating mechanisms. Relevant implications for the development of more targeted and effective interventions are also discussed.

Extracurricular Activities as a Form of Development of Social Competence of Adolescents with Intellectual Disorders

The formation and development of social competence of adolescents with intellectual disabilities is a priority of special educational institutions, because it is the key to successful socialization of these students. The main goal is to reveal the psychological and pedagogical conditions for the formation of social competence of adolescents with intellectual disabilities through their engagement into the extracurricular activities. The method involves considering the capabilities of each teenager in extracurricular activities at any age. Extracurricular activities that are based on each individual case of every student are used to form specific competencies that are especially important for him at the next level of learning and socialization. The experiment involved 114 adolescents aged 12-16 years studying in special educational institutions. Based on the components of social competence, the following methods were selected and diagnostics were performed: projective technique “Incomplete Sentences”, projective drawing “My Friends”, observation, exploratory technique “My Orientations”, exploratory technique “Nonverbal characteristics of communication”, observation, Saul Rosenzweig test, exploratory technique “An Island”, projective technique “Joint Drawing”, drama game “The Turnip”, exploratory technique “Assess the Behavior”, a discussion based on short stories “The Hero’s Character and His Actions”. The number of adolescents with intellectual disabilities who have cognitive-related competencies has increased significantly (t=5,01; p=0,001); ; competencies of motivational and value sphere (t=4,7; p=0,01). Increased was the number of adolescents who adequately assess themselves and their abilities and capabilities (33, 85%), use socially acceptable behavior and understand moral norms (39, 47%). The level of control over students’ own actions has significantly increased, as well as their ability to evaluate their own actions and self-reflect (t = 5.3; p = 0.05). The diagnostic results obtained after the introduction of the method testified to the effectiveness of its use for adolescents with intellectual disabilities in the conditions of special educational institutions.

The Effect of Peer Atachment and Tolerance on Social Competence In Adolescents

This study aims to examine the effect of peer attachment and tolerance simultaneously and separately on social competence among adolescents. This research employed a quantitative ex-post facto design, which was conducted in the city of Yogyakarta involving 364 adolescents as sample, consisting of 190 females and 174 males. Data were collected through adaptation of SSRS-R for social competence scale with 35 items, of IPPA-R for peer attachment scale with 25 items and modified TDC for tolerance scale with 13 items. The instrument was validated through content validity and reliability based on Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient for social competence with the value of 0.804, Cronbach’s Alpha for peer attachment scale with the value of 0.704 and Cronbach’s Alpha for tolerance scale with the value of 0.690. Data were then analyzed through multiple regression analysis with the result of significance 0.000 (p <0.05). The results show that: (1) there is an effect of peer attachment and tolerance simultaneously on the adolescents’ social competence ; (2) there is an effect of peer attachment on the adolescents’ social competence; and (3) there is an effect of tolerance on the adolescents’ social competence. Therefore, it can be concluded that peer attachment and tolerance affect the adolescents’ social competence. Peer attachment and tolerance can be strong predictors of social competence among adolescents.

Parenting influence on social competence in adolescents with and without intellectual disability

Belsky?s theory of differential susceptibility to environmental influences assumes that the very individuals who seem most susceptible to environmental adversity may also benefit most from developmentally supportive rearing. The aim of this study was to examine whether supportive parenting (with parental care) in contrast to unsupportive parenting (without parental care), has greater beneficial effects in adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) than in typically developing (TD) adolescents. The sample included two groups of adolescents aged 12-18: the group of 210 adolescents without parental care (PC), 80 with ID (Mage = 15.59 years; SDage = 1.97; 54% boys), 130 TD adolescents (Mage = 15.03 years; SDage = 1.95; 52% boys) and the parallel group of 206 adolescents with PC, 76 with ID (Mage = 15.57 years; SDage = 1.93; 53% boys), 130 TD adolescents (Mage = 15.03 years; SDage = 1.95; 52% boys). Social competence was assessed using the Social Skills Rating System. Our assumption was confirmed with respect to self-control, cooperation and responsibility, adolescents with ID are more susceptible to influences of parenting status compared with TD adolescents. With respect to externalising problems, our assumption was not confirmed, possibly due to the less supportive parenting environment characterised by more parenting risk factors in families of adolescents with ID. The implications for prevention of externalising problems were discussed in relation to school and family context.

Formation of social competence in adolescence

The article highlights the formation of adolescents’ social competence. The definitions of the concepts “socialization”, “competence”, “social competence” are given. The focus is on the concept of “social competence”, which is important in adolescence. The term “socialization” in the scientific literature of different branches of science is analyzed. The psychological and pedagogical principles of the organization of the pedagogical process aimed at the development of a healthy personality that can learn through life, think critically, set goals and achieve them, work in a team, communicate in a multicultural environment are considered. The conditions for forming social competence of adolescents are defined. The priorities of the educational process at the New Ukrainian School are described. It is determined that the formation of adolescents’ social competence is through the formation of the ability of educators to make their own decisions, with the ability to communicate without conflict and tolerance with others, to admit their mistakes, to defend their dignity, rights, to realize their natural opportunities, to lead a healthy lifestyle, to plan their personal and a professional future. The algorithm of professional activity of pedagogical workers is investigated, which provides for revision of methodology of work with participants of educational process; changing emphasis and priority from process to outcome using effective methods of practical psychology and social work. It is proved that a reboot should be psychologically correct, gradually and gradually, with appropriate explanations and instructions. It is determined that the coordinated work of teachers and parents plays an important role in shaping the social competence of adolescents. It is emphasized that the psychological service is intended to teach how to live in peace with oneself and with others, how to enter into relations with the world, so that life is pleasurable.