APS
2026 APS Annual Convention · 2026
From Skills to Mental Health: Social-Emotional Competencies As Protective Pathways.
- Noa Weiss-Klayman
Reichman University, Herzliya - Mark T. Greenberg
Pennsylvania State University - Daphne Kopelman-Rubin
Reichman University, Herzliya
Abstract
This longitudinal study examined whether social-emotional competencies (SEC) predict students’ mental health. 1,190 4th–6th graders participated. Multilevel models showed that SEC at Time 1 predicted better mental health at Time 2. Responsible decision-making predicted strengths; interpersonal competencies predicted fewer conduct and peer problems but emotion recognition surprisingly did not.