Social skills in adolescence: Psychometric analysis of empathy, assertiveness, active listening, and resilience

Abstract

Strengthening social skills in children and adolescents is a crucial aspect during the school years, as it facilitates better interaction with their environment and positively contributes to their future development. Therefore, it is important to evaluate various dimensions associated with this competency, such as empathy, assertiveness, active listening, and resilience. The research was conducted using a quantitative approach with a descriptive and cross-sectional design, whose objective was to analyze social skills in a sample of 400 first-year high school students. To this end, four validated instruments adapted to the Ecuadorian context were applied using a structured questionnaire with a Likert scale. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, demonstrating high instrument reliability. The results show that 20% of participants frequently experience difficulty maintaining attention and processing information during conversations; 15% report difficulty adequately interpreting the emotions of others; and another 20% report insecurity when expressing their opinions and defending their rights in social contexts. while 15% face significant difficulties in managing stress and frustration.