Competencias emocionales y autoestima en la adolescencia: Impacto sobre el ajuste psicológico

Abstract

Emotional competence and self-esteem in adolescence: impact on psychological adjustment. The ability to process and manage one’s own feelings and those of others in order to attend and solve emotional problems is part of the emotional competences. The development of these skills during adolescence influences positively their personal, social and school functioning. The aim was to study the impact of emotional competence and self-esteem on adolescents’ psychological adjustment, focusing on potential sex and age differences. Participants were 855 Spanish adolescents aged 12-15 years old (M = 13.60; SD = 1.09), from de Valencian Community. The Emotional Skills and Competencies Questionnaire (ESCQ), the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSE) and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were assessed. Descriptive statistics, correlation and hierarchical multiple regression were performed. The results indicated significant sex differences, but not regarding age. Girls were observed to be more competent in perceiving and understanding emotions than boys, however they reported more emotional symptoms. Boys obtained higher levels of self-esteem than girls, presenting more behavioural difficulties. Regression analysis showed that emotional competence and self-esteem are associated with less emotional symptoms and less conduct problems. Our findings reveal the predominant role of self-esteem in predicting adolescents’ psychological adjustment, especially emotional symptoms.