Poster #123 - The Way I See It: Associations Between Social Perspective Taking and Social Competence

• In Event: Poster Session 09

Abstract

Social perspective taking (SPT) refers to the process of self-other differentiation of perspectives during social problem solving, a crucial skill that promotes the maintenance of healthy relationships. Social competence is defined broadly as the ability to effectively navigate social situations. Given the difficulty operationalizing this broad concept, it is often studied via processes such as SPT that are assumed to contribute to social competence. However, no research explicitly affirms this relationship. A few studies have suggested a link between SPT and ratings of social competence in children, but none have examined this proposed link in adolescents. The current study examined the association between SPT and social competence in adolescents with and without mental health problems. The sample consisted of two groups of adolescents between 12-18 years, 121 of which had been referred to a mental health centre and 141 recruited from the surrounding community (control group). Results showed only one significant correlation -- between SPT and self-reported ratings of social competence in the control group. These results suggest that the relation between SPT and social competence may be more complex than generally assumed and that informant ratings may affect this relation.

Keywords: social perspective taking, social competence, adolescent mental health

Authors

• Alisa French, Trent University
  Presenting Author

• Nancie Im-Bolter, Trent University