Unraveling the Role of Socio-Emotional Competencies Between Future Time Perspective and Subjective Wellbeing Across Adulthood

Abstract

"Social and emotional learning is an integral part of human education and development and is the process through which everyone, children, and adults develop the skills, attitudes, and values necessary to acquire social and emotional competence (CASEL, 2020). Good emotional management, greater motivation, and awareness of oneself and the people around us, impact the quality of life, contribute to satisfaction and participation in the work context. But the challenges and the transition that adults face through their adult life are diverse: ranging from transition to adult identity to playing a constellation of roles from which derive many responsibilities as to the end of the working career. The main objective of the study is to observe how the different stages of adult life are characterized by social and emotional skills. A second goal is to understand the relationships holding between SE skills, wellbeing experienced, and future time perspective. A total of 212 participants living in North East of Italy were surveyed for their Socioemotional skills, future time perspective, and wellbeing. According to their age, three groups were identified: emerging, young and middle-aged adults. The study confirms the specificity of Social and Emotional Competences (SECs) across adult development. Regression-based mediation models were estimated to test the direct and indirect effects between dimensions addressed. The analyses evidenced the mediation role of social and emotional skills in the relationship between future temporal perspective and psychological wellbeing. The model highlights the predictive effect of time perspective on CSEs, which have a predictive effect on psychological wellbeing. The results highlight the critical role of socioemotional skills for understanding the complex relationship between FTP and subjective wellbeing. Additionally, Social and Emotional Learning must be considered an integral part of adult education and lifelong learning and guide prevention and support actions."