Which Social-Emotional Skills Are Most Important for Students’ Learning and Well-Being? An International Comparison Among China, the United States, and and Finland

• In Event: International Perspectives of SEL Skills, Belongingness, and Assessment in Primary and Middle Schools

Abstract

Social-emotional skills are crucial for students’ development, yet there is limited examination regarding which skills are most effective for their learning and well-being, especially from a cross-national perspective. To fill this gap, this study conducted an international comparison among China, USA, and Finland. Drawing data from OECD Social-emotional Skills Survey, over 60000 students from those countries (NChina= 7246, NUSA=6434 and NFinland=5482) were included in this study. Results showed that, in general, curiosity, persistence and responsibility were the most important skills for students’ learning, while optimism, energy, and stress resistance were the three most crucial skills relating to students’ well-being. However, there was also context-specific finding for achievement. These findings have important implications for tailored social-emotional skills interventions and training programs.

Authors

• Zepeng Liu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

• Jiesi Guo, Australian Catholic University

• Haoyan Huang, University of Helsinki

• Xin Tang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University