Socio-Emotional Competencies for Sustainable Development: An Exploratory Review

This article explores the importance of integrating socio-emotional competencies into the formal education of adolescents to promote sustainable development. It argues that social and emotional learning (SEL) not only enhances personal and academic well-being, but also facilitates the building of mo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Elena Arbués, Beatriz Abad-Villaverde, Ana Costa-París, Álvaro Balaguer, María-Dolores Conesa-Lareo, Carlos Beltramo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/831
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849246586451787776
author Elena Arbués
Beatriz Abad-Villaverde
Ana Costa-París
Álvaro Balaguer
María-Dolores Conesa-Lareo
Carlos Beltramo
author_facet Elena Arbués
Beatriz Abad-Villaverde
Ana Costa-París
Álvaro Balaguer
María-Dolores Conesa-Lareo
Carlos Beltramo
author_sort Elena Arbués
collection DOAJ
description This article explores the importance of integrating socio-emotional competencies into the formal education of adolescents to promote sustainable development. It argues that social and emotional learning (SEL) not only enhances personal and academic well-being, but also facilitates the building of more resilient and sustainable communities. A scoping review was conducted using a qualitative methodology based on document analysis through matrix-based reviews. The 49 selected studies were analyzed in relation to the personality facets of the Big Five (OCEAN) model. The results of the interventions show improvements in self-efficacy, empathy, motivation, school climate, bullying reduction, and the prevention of mental health issues. It is concluded that a more holistic approach is needed, combining SEL with character education to achieve lasting impacts. Furthermore, interventions must be sensitive to cultural contexts and the specific realities of each school community.
format Article
id doaj-art-cde18add35d04dee8eba82ebbfe1e518
institution Kabale University
issn 2227-7102
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Education Sciences
spelling doaj-art-cde18add35d04dee8eba82ebbfe1e5182025-08-20T03:58:26ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-07-0115783110.3390/educsci15070831Socio-Emotional Competencies for Sustainable Development: An Exploratory ReviewElena Arbués0Beatriz Abad-Villaverde1Ana Costa-París2Álvaro Balaguer3María-Dolores Conesa-Lareo4Carlos Beltramo5Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, SpainFaculty of Education and Humanities, Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, Santo Domingo 10203, Dominican RepublicFaculty of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, SpainFaculty of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, SpainFaculty of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, SpainCulture and Society Institute, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, SpainThis article explores the importance of integrating socio-emotional competencies into the formal education of adolescents to promote sustainable development. It argues that social and emotional learning (SEL) not only enhances personal and academic well-being, but also facilitates the building of more resilient and sustainable communities. A scoping review was conducted using a qualitative methodology based on document analysis through matrix-based reviews. The 49 selected studies were analyzed in relation to the personality facets of the Big Five (OCEAN) model. The results of the interventions show improvements in self-efficacy, empathy, motivation, school climate, bullying reduction, and the prevention of mental health issues. It is concluded that a more holistic approach is needed, combining SEL with character education to achieve lasting impacts. Furthermore, interventions must be sensitive to cultural contexts and the specific realities of each school community.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/831socio-emotional competencieseducation for sustainabilitysecondary educationeducational interventionbig fivesocial and emotional learning
spellingShingle Elena Arbués
Beatriz Abad-Villaverde
Ana Costa-París
Álvaro Balaguer
María-Dolores Conesa-Lareo
Carlos Beltramo
Socio-Emotional Competencies for Sustainable Development: An Exploratory Review
Education Sciences
socio-emotional competencies
education for sustainability
secondary education
educational intervention
big five
social and emotional learning
title Socio-Emotional Competencies for Sustainable Development: An Exploratory Review
title_full Socio-Emotional Competencies for Sustainable Development: An Exploratory Review
title_fullStr Socio-Emotional Competencies for Sustainable Development: An Exploratory Review
title_full_unstemmed Socio-Emotional Competencies for Sustainable Development: An Exploratory Review
title_short Socio-Emotional Competencies for Sustainable Development: An Exploratory Review
title_sort socio emotional competencies for sustainable development an exploratory review
topic socio-emotional competencies
education for sustainability
secondary education
educational intervention
big five
social and emotional learning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/831
work_keys_str_mv AT elenaarbues socioemotionalcompetenciesforsustainabledevelopmentanexploratoryreview
AT beatrizabadvillaverde socioemotionalcompetenciesforsustainabledevelopmentanexploratoryreview
AT anacostaparis socioemotionalcompetenciesforsustainabledevelopmentanexploratoryreview
AT alvarobalaguer socioemotionalcompetenciesforsustainabledevelopmentanexploratoryreview
AT mariadoloresconesalareo socioemotionalcompetenciesforsustainabledevelopmentanexploratoryreview
AT carlosbeltramo socioemotionalcompetenciesforsustainabledevelopmentanexploratoryreview