The Role of Perceived Social-Emotional Competence in Adolescents’ Mental Health: The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Peer Relationship and Teacher-Student Relationship

Ping Zhou,1,2 Sidan Yan,2,3 Lulu Hou2,3 1Shanghai Weiyu High School, Shanghai, 200231, People’s Republic of China; 2Lab for Educational Big Data and Policymaking (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Psychology, Shanghai Normal Universi...

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Main Authors: Zhou P, Yan S, Hou L
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-07-01
Series:Psychology Research and Behavior Management
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/the-role-of-perceived-social-emotional-competence-in-adolescents-menta-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PRBM
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author Zhou P
Yan S
Hou L
author_facet Zhou P
Yan S
Hou L
author_sort Zhou P
collection DOAJ
description Ping Zhou,1,2 Sidan Yan,2,3 Lulu Hou2,3 1Shanghai Weiyu High School, Shanghai, 200231, People’s Republic of China; 2Lab for Educational Big Data and Policymaking (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ping Zhou, Shanghai Weiyu High School, Shanghai, 200231, People’s Republic of China, Email wypingzhou@163.com Lulu Hou, School of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, People’s Republic of China, Email hoululu2020@shnu.edu.cnIntroduction: Perceived social-emotional competence (PSEC) has been identified as a critical factor influencing adolescent mental health. However, limited research has explored the underlying mechanisms linking PSEC to both psychological distress and subjective well-being.Methods: This longitudinal study investigated the associations among PSEC, psychological distress, and subjective well-being, as well as the potential mediating roles of peer relationships and teacher-student relationships. A sample of 452 adolescents (aged 16– 19 years) participated in the study. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the hypothesized mediation pathways.Results: Correlational analyses showed significant associations among PSEC, subjective well-being, psychological distress, peer relationships, and teacher-student relationships. Longitudinal mediation analyses revealed that the relationship between PSEC and psychological distress was fully mediated by peer relationships. In contrast, the effects of PSEC on subjective well-being were explained by both direct effects and the mediating roles of peer and teacher-student relationships.Discussion: These findings underscore the importance of supportive interpersonal relationships in adolescent mental health. The results suggest that enhancing peer and teacher-student relationships may be a valuable target for interventions aimed at strengthening the positive impact of PSEC.Keywords: perceived social-emotional competence, psychological distress, well-being, relationship with peers and teachers
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spelling doaj-art-365df59154cb43cf8a0183a1a1e2be912025-08-20T03:50:44ZengDove Medical PressPsychology Research and Behavior Management1179-15782025-07-01Volume 18Issue 115851593104842The Role of Perceived Social-Emotional Competence in Adolescents’ Mental Health: The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Peer Relationship and Teacher-Student RelationshipZhou P0Yan SHou L1Lab for Educational Big Data and Policymaking (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Normal UniversitySchool of PsychologyPing Zhou,1,2 Sidan Yan,2,3 Lulu Hou2,3 1Shanghai Weiyu High School, Shanghai, 200231, People’s Republic of China; 2Lab for Educational Big Data and Policymaking (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ping Zhou, Shanghai Weiyu High School, Shanghai, 200231, People’s Republic of China, Email wypingzhou@163.com Lulu Hou, School of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, People’s Republic of China, Email hoululu2020@shnu.edu.cnIntroduction: Perceived social-emotional competence (PSEC) has been identified as a critical factor influencing adolescent mental health. However, limited research has explored the underlying mechanisms linking PSEC to both psychological distress and subjective well-being.Methods: This longitudinal study investigated the associations among PSEC, psychological distress, and subjective well-being, as well as the potential mediating roles of peer relationships and teacher-student relationships. A sample of 452 adolescents (aged 16– 19 years) participated in the study. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the hypothesized mediation pathways.Results: Correlational analyses showed significant associations among PSEC, subjective well-being, psychological distress, peer relationships, and teacher-student relationships. Longitudinal mediation analyses revealed that the relationship between PSEC and psychological distress was fully mediated by peer relationships. In contrast, the effects of PSEC on subjective well-being were explained by both direct effects and the mediating roles of peer and teacher-student relationships.Discussion: These findings underscore the importance of supportive interpersonal relationships in adolescent mental health. The results suggest that enhancing peer and teacher-student relationships may be a valuable target for interventions aimed at strengthening the positive impact of PSEC.Keywords: perceived social-emotional competence, psychological distress, well-being, relationship with peers and teachershttps://www.dovepress.com/the-role-of-perceived-social-emotional-competence-in-adolescents-menta-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PRBMperceived social-emotional competencepsychological distresswell-beingrelationship with peers and teachers
spellingShingle Zhou P
Yan S
Hou L
The Role of Perceived Social-Emotional Competence in Adolescents’ Mental Health: The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Peer Relationship and Teacher-Student Relationship
Psychology Research and Behavior Management
perceived social-emotional competence
psychological distress
well-being
relationship with peers and teachers
title The Role of Perceived Social-Emotional Competence in Adolescents’ Mental Health: The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Peer Relationship and Teacher-Student Relationship
title_full The Role of Perceived Social-Emotional Competence in Adolescents’ Mental Health: The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Peer Relationship and Teacher-Student Relationship
title_fullStr The Role of Perceived Social-Emotional Competence in Adolescents’ Mental Health: The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Peer Relationship and Teacher-Student Relationship
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Perceived Social-Emotional Competence in Adolescents’ Mental Health: The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Peer Relationship and Teacher-Student Relationship
title_short The Role of Perceived Social-Emotional Competence in Adolescents’ Mental Health: The Longitudinal Mediating Effect of Peer Relationship and Teacher-Student Relationship
title_sort role of perceived social emotional competence in adolescents amp rsquo mental health the longitudinal mediating effect of peer relationship and teacher student relationship
topic perceived social-emotional competence
psychological distress
well-being
relationship with peers and teachers
url https://www.dovepress.com/the-role-of-perceived-social-emotional-competence-in-adolescents-menta-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PRBM
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